father figure

noun

: a person often of particular power or influence who serves as an emotional substitute for a father

Examples of father figure in a Sentence

The coach was a stern, wise father figure to his players.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Crespo was sentenced to more prison time than the distribution ring’s leader, Jorge Diaz Gutierrez, who was like a father figure to Crespo. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025 One of the tale’s bitterest ironies is that Victor will become a more demanding, more neglectful, and vastly more destructive father figure than Leopold ever was. Justin Chang, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025 Is the father figure herself going on Call Her Daddy? Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2025 Others mourn Roufus as father figure, mentor Remembrances from across the city, and country, have poured in since Roufus' death. Cleo Krejci, jsonline.com, 18 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for father figure

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of father figure was in 1916

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Father figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/father%20figure. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.

Medical Definition

father figure

noun
fa·​ther figure ˈfät͟h-ər- How to pronounce father figure (audio)
: one often of particular power or influence who serves as an emotional substitute for a father

More from Merriam-Webster on father figure

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