pa
pah
Pa (noun) means an informal word for father. Example: “Pa always sat at the head of the table for dinner.”
noun
1
An informal word for father.
"Pa always sat at the head of the table for dinner."
"I asked my pa if I could borrow the car on Saturday."
"Ma and Pa were already waiting at the station when we arrived."
2
An informal, shortened word for grandfather.
"We visited Pa and Grandma every summer."
"Pa let us help him plant tomatoes in his garden every spring."
"My pa still walks to the shops every morning, whatever the weather."
How to use pa
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual, old-fashioned way of saying "dad" (or sometimes "grandpa").
When to use it
Informal and somewhat dated in everyday British and American English, though still common in some families and regions.
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Word forms
- Plural
- pas
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_____ always sat at the head of the table for dinner.
Etymology
A clipped, childlike form of "papa."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “pa” mean?
The word “pa” means an informal word for father. In plain terms, a casual, old-fashioned way of saying "dad" (or sometimes "grandpa").
How do you pronounce “pa”?
“Pa” is pronounced pah (/pɑː/ in IPA).
How do you use “pa” in a sentence?
Here is “pa” used in a sentence: “Pa always sat at the head of the table for dinner.”
What part of speech is “pa”?
“Pa” is a noun.
Is “pa” a common word?
“Pa” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “pa” have?
“Pa” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an informal word for father.
What does pa mean?
Pa is an informal, affectionate word for one's father, similar to dad, papa, or pop. It has an old-fashioned, homely feel and appears often in older books, rural speech, and regional dialects. It is a shortened, familiar form rather than a formal term of address.
Is pa formal or informal?
Pa is informal. You would use it with family or in casual, affectionate speech, not in formal writing or official documents, where 'father' is the correct choice. It belongs to the same relaxed group as ma, dad, and mum, and often sounds old-fashioned or regional today.
What is the difference between pa and papa?
Both are informal words for father, and they share the same root. Pa is shorter and blunter, common in older or rural English, while papa is slightly softer and can sound more childlike or, in some accents, more formal. In practice the two are largely interchangeable.
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