father figure

[ fah-ther fig-yer ]

noun

1. an emotional substitute for one's father, especially one who fulfills parental functions such as protection, authority, support, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of father figure¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

And he was a mentor, close friend, and father figure to Rev. Al Sharpton.

From The Daily Beast

Mad Men is very big on surrogate parents on the show, and Roger always viewed Bert as a surrogate father figure.

From The Daily Beast

On Friday Night Lights, Coach Taylor is as much a father figure to the boys on the Dillon Panthers as he is their play caller.

From The Daily Beast

"He was regarded by Cressida as a father figure," a friend of Miss Bonas told the Daily Beast.

From The Daily Beast

So it was like meeting some sort of father figure, whose approval you always wanted.

From The Daily Beast