English-English Dictionary

Meaning of the word father in English

What does father mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

father

US /ˈfɑː.ðɚ/
UK /ˈfɑː.ðər/
"father" picture

Noun

1.

a man in relation to his natural child or children

Example:
•
My father taught me how to ride a bike.
•
He became a father last year.
Synonym:
dad daddy pa pop pater
2.

a priest

Example:
•
We confessed our sins to Father Michael.
•
The new Father will lead the Sunday service.
Synonym:
priest clergyman reverend pastor
3.

the originator or founder of something

Example:
•
He is considered the father of modern physics.
•
The city's founding fathers established its first laws.
Synonym:
founder originator creator pioneer architect

Verb

1.

to be the father of (a child)

Example:
•
He fathered three children before he was thirty.
•
The stallion fathered many champions.
Synonym:
beget sire procreate
2.

to originate or establish (something)

Example:
•
He fathered the idea of a universal basic income.
•
The movement was fathered by a group of young activists.
Synonym:
found establish originate create pioneer
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Related Word:
father-in-law Father's Day father figure from father to son