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

Army colonel Lee Shaw, her team’s father figure, in the monster realm they call Axis Mundi.

From Salon • Mar. 20, 2026

In other words, Gen Z wants a financial father figure.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 18, 2025

No one is more proud of the person Adrid has become than San Pedro boys basketball coach John Bobich, who has served as a father figure since her dad’s death.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 8, 2025

Maybe I could have just read that and had a father figure to teach me how to treat mothers.

From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri