fatherly
adjective
fa·ther·ly
ˈfä-t͟hər-lē 
1
: of, relating to, or befitting a father
fatherly responsibilities
2
: resembling a father (as in affection or care)
a fatherly old man
fatherly
adverb
Examples of fatherly in a Sentence
He took a fatherly interest in the careers of younger writers.
Recent Examples on the Web
LeBron takes an obvious fatherly pride in Bronny's development into a contributor for their short-handed team.
—
ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
In the wake of Soldier Boy’s resurrection, Homelander is desperate to earn some fatherly affection.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
Jim Bob Duggar, star of TLC's 19 Kids and Counting, tried to impart some fatherly love to his second incarcerated son.
—Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026
Delroy Lindo then enveloped him in a fatherly embrace.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026
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ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
In the wake of Soldier Boy’s resurrection, Homelander is desperate to earn some fatherly affection.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
Jim Bob Duggar, star of TLC's 19 Kids and Counting, tried to impart some fatherly love to his second incarcerated son.
—Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026
Delroy Lindo then enveloped him in a fatherly embrace.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fatherly
Cite this Entry
“Fatherly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fatherly. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fatherly
adjective
fa·ther·ly
ˈfät͟h-ər-lē
ˈfȧt͟h-
1
: of or resembling a father
fatherly responsibilities
2
: showing the affection or concern of a father
fatherly advice
fatherliness
noun
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