stepfather

noun

step·​fa·​ther ˈstep-ˌfä-t͟hər 

: the husband of one's parent when distinct from one's natural or legal father

Examples of stepfather in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hauser’s jaded ranch foreman Rip, who first came to John Dutton as a young boy on the run after killing his stepfather to protect his mother, learned how to be a cowboy from John, who treated him like a son. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025

Perry’s mother and stepfather sat silently in the courtroom’s back row and did not speak with reporters after the morning hearing. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025

Jong-Fast shoulders the duties of caring for her mother and her ailing stepfather—or of guiltily hiring others to do so—while also tending to her husband, who has been diagnosed with cancer. —Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2025

Also in custody are the child’s 34-year-old stepfather and 33-year-old mother. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stepfather

• forefather
• godfather
• grandfather
• bother
• father

Kids Definition

stepfather

noun

step·​fa·​ther ˈstep-ˌfät͟h-ər 

: the husband of one's mother when distinct from one's natural or legal father