noun
Uncommon
paternity
puh-TUR-nih-tee
Paternity (noun) means the state of being a father, especially the legal or biological fact of fatherhood. Example: “A DNA test confirmed his paternity of the child.”
noun
1
The state of being a father, especially the legal or biological fact of fatherhood.
"A DNA test confirmed his paternity of the child."
2
Time off work granted to a new father.
"He took two weeks of paternity leave after the baby was born."
How to use paternity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFatherhood — being confirmed as, or acting as, a child's father.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
paternity test
paternity leave
paternity suit
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Word forms
- Plural
- paternities
Fill the gap
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A DNA test confirmed his _____ of the child.
Etymology
From Latin paternitas, "fatherhood," from pater, "father."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for paternity
See all rhymes for paternity →Frequently asked questions
What does “paternity” mean?
The word “paternity” means the state of being a father, especially the legal or biological fact of fatherhood. In plain terms, fatherhood — being confirmed as, or acting as, a child's father.
How do you pronounce “paternity”?
“Paternity” is pronounced puh-TUR-nih-tee (/pəˈtɜɹnəti/ in IPA).
How do you use “paternity” in a sentence?
Here is “paternity” used in a sentence: “A DNA test confirmed his paternity of the child.”
What part of speech is “paternity”?
“Paternity” is a noun.
Where does the word “paternity” come from?
The word “paternity” comes from Latin. From Latin paternitas, "fatherhood," from pater, "father.".
Is “paternity” a common word?
“Paternity” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “paternity” have?
“Paternity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the state of being a father, especially the legal or biological fact of fatherhood.
