father figure

noun

: a person often of particular power or influence who serves as an emotional substitute for a father

Examples of father figure in a Sentence

The coach was a stern, wise father figure to his players.

Recent Examples on the Web

The part of John, the father figure, is played by Bob Eichenberger, who seemed strangely familiar to me, though Stefiuk assures me that Eichenberger never had acted before. —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2024

But for all of its layers of lies, its portrayal of the relationship between Frank and Carl — a boy on the run and the idealized father figure he’s always been chasing — rings truer than ever. —Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2024

Bob agrees to take the case, and becomes the caring friend and father figure Matthew never had. —Heller McAlpin, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Sep. 2024

Both are stalked by the shadows of father figures who have let them down and talked them down. —Louis Staples, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

father figure

noun

fa·​ther figure ˈfät͟h-ər- 

: one often of particular power or influence who serves as an emotional substitute for a father