father
FAH-thuh
Father (noun) means a male parent. Example: “Her father taught her how to ride a bike.”
noun
1
A male parent.
"Her father taught her how to ride a bike."
"He became a father for the first time last spring."
"My father cooks dinner on Sundays while we all help."
2
A person seen as the founder or leading figure of something.
"He is often called the father of modern computing."
"Locals honour him as the father of their town's library."
"The scientist became known as the father of a whole new field."
3
A title of respect for a priest.
"Father Michael led the Sunday service."
"Father Thomas blessed the new school building."
"We asked Father Paul to say a few words."
verb
1
To be the male parent of a child.
"He fathered three children over the course of his first marriage."
"He fathered a daughter late in life."
"Having fathered two sons, he longed for a daughter."
How to use father
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA male parent — or, more broadly, someone who founded or led the way in something.
Common pairings
father figure
founding father
father of three
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Word forms
- Plural
- fathers
- Third person singular
- fathers
- Past tense
- fathered
Fill the gap
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Her _____ taught her how to ride a bike.
Etymology
From Old English fæder, from a very old Indo-European root shared with Latin pater and Greek patēr.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for father
lather
rather
gather
Mather
leather
weather
feather
heather
breather
godfather
stepfather
Mayweather
See all rhymes for father →
Frequently asked questions
What does “father” mean?
The word “father” means a male parent. In plain terms, a male parent — or, more broadly, someone who founded or led the way in something.
How do you pronounce “father”?
“Father” is pronounced FAH-thuh (/ˈfɑ.ðɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “father” in a sentence?
Here is “father” used in a sentence: “Her father taught her how to ride a bike.”
What is another word for “father”?
Words with a similar meaning to “father” include ayr, ba, baba, da, dad and dada.
What is the opposite of “father”?
The opposite of “father” — its antonyms — are mother, son, daughter and child.
What part of speech is “father”?
Depending on how it is used, “father” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “father” come from?
The word “father” comes from Latin. From Old English fæder, from a very old Indo-European root shared with Latin pater and Greek patēr.
Is “father” a common word?
“Father” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between a father and a dad?
Both refer to a male parent, but the tone differs. 'Father' is the more formal, neutral term, used in official contexts and for biological or legal relationships. 'Dad' is warm and affectionate, the word most people actually call their own father. A father is defined by the role; 'dad' expresses the bond.
What is a father figure?
A father figure is a man who provides the guidance, support, and role-modelling normally associated with a father, without necessarily being the biological or legal parent. It might be a grandfather, teacher, coach, or mentor. The phrase highlights the emotional role a father plays rather than the blood relationship.
Is 'father' a formal word?
It is more formal than everyday alternatives like 'dad', 'daddy', or 'papa'. You would write 'father' on official forms and use it in serious or respectful contexts, but most people say 'dad' in ordinary conversation. Neither is wrong; the choice simply reflects how formal or affectionate you want to sound.
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