fatherly

adjective

fa·ther·ly | \ ˈfä-t͟hər-lē

How to pronounce fatherly (audio)

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Definition of fatherly

1 : of, relating to, or befitting a father fatherly responsibilities

2 : resembling a father (as in affection or care) a fatherly old man

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Examples of fatherly in a Sentence

He took a fatherly interest in the careers of younger writers.

Recent Examples on the Web Matthew Morrison played Glee Club director William Schuester on the series, a character who was a fatherly figure and leader…but also, perhaps, a little too invested in his students' lives. — Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, "Two Glee Actors Admit Some of the Cast ‘Hated’ the Show in This Viral Interview," 2 Mar. 2021 Aggrieved fatherly types, Neeson's characters must turn to violence against assorted bad guys in various locales. — Tribune News Service, Star Tribune, "'The Marksman' is standard-issue Liam Neeson material," 21 Jan. 2021 But the memory of Parker and his fatherly love went beyond his family. — Ravien Iris Burns | Jrnola, NOLA.com, "Yes, New Orleans, there is a Santa Claus -- and his spirit lives on in the Seventh Ward," 21 Dec. 2020 If Wray ignores those fatherly pleas for leniency, Biden should abruptly fire him. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "What America Needs Now Is a President Who Will Go Nuclear on the Justice Department," 17 Dec. 2020 This brilliant Swedish comedy (later remade by Hollywood as Downhill) begins with an act of fatherly failure. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "20 of the Best Films About Family for the Holidays," 21 Nov. 2020 The fatherly loyalty stretched to the point Elway wouldn’t attend a school function at Stanford for three years after his father was fired until athletic director Andy Geiger left for Maryland. — Mark Gonzales, chicagotribune.com, "Sports reading: John Elway’s new biography probes the Hall of Fame quarterback’s legendary persistence, from high school star to NFL executive," 5 Nov. 2020 Stephen Jones said his fatherly advice would have been different. — Jori Epstein, USA TODAY, "Dallas Cowboys VP Stephen Jones on Dak Prescott negotiations: QB 'bet on himself and bet wisely'," 11 Sep. 2020 The son spent considerable time tagging along in big league clubhouses and has soaked up plenty of fatherly advice. — Bernie Wilson, Star Tribune, "Tatis Jr. brings talent, swagger as Padres hope to contend," 13 Aug. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fatherly.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

7 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Fatherly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fatherly. Accessed 7 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for fatherly

fatherly

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of fatherly

: of a father : resembling a father : showing the affection or concern of a father

See the full definition for fatherly in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fatherly

adjective

fa·ther·ly | \ ˈfä-t͟hər-lē

\

Kids Definition of fatherly

: of or like a father He gave me fatherly advice.

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