fatherly

adjective

fa·​ther·​ly ˈfä-t͟hər-lē How to pronounce fatherly (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or befitting a father
fatherly responsibilities
2
: resembling a father (as in affection or care)
a fatherly old man
fatherliness noun
fatherly adverb

Examples of fatherly in a Sentence

He took a fatherly interest in the careers of younger writers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Here is someone offering her fatherly advice and a paternal embrace without a hidden half-chub. Nina Li Coomes, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2024 So, Jim puts on his fatherly cap, offering some wise advice. Marc Berman, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024 Reeves, in establishing his masculinity think tank, has spoken about the public dearth of fatherly life-guidance—a vacuum that such manosphere denizens as Andrew Tate and Jordan Peterson, with their alarming blend of platitudes and misogyny, have come to fill for unmoored boys and men. Molly Fischer, The New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2024 The retiree doesn’t have children and has enjoyed this new fatherly role. Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fatherly 

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fatherly was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near fatherly

Cite this Entry

“Fatherly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fatherly. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

fatherly

adjective
fa·​ther·​ly ˈfät͟h-ər-lē How to pronounce fatherly (audio)
ˈfȧt͟h-
1
: of or resembling a father
fatherly responsibilities
2
: showing the affection or concern of a father
fatherly advice
fatherliness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on fatherly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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