Definitions

father figure

[fah-ther fig-yer] / ˈfɑ ðər ˌfɪg yər /

NOUN

father substitute

Synonyms

WEAK

father image father surrogate substitute surrogate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He also lacked a father figure growing up, as his father was not involved in raising him.

From MarketWatch • May 4, 2026

"Mauricio was like a father figure," recalls ex-PSG defender Didier Domi.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

But this strong father figure is also punitive in nature; they want to earn his approval to avoid being punished.

From Salon • Feb. 24, 2026

Nancy Shear wasn’t yet out of her teens when she was hired as musical assistant to the eminent and enigmatic symphony conductor Leopold Stokowski, who became her mentor and a father figure of sorts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

Since there seems to be an absence of men in some of the kids’ families, many of them look up to him as an adopted father figure.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers