dad

noun

ˈdad 

plural dads

informal

: a male parent : father entry 1 sense 1

My mom swam and played soccer, my dad surfed, and my brother played basketball.

—Shannon Griggs

Don't get me wrong, I'm a good dad who maintains a cheerful household and greets parenthood with a smile and an open heart.

—Ron Harris

—often used as a name

When is Dad getting home?

Dad, can you give me a ride?

Synonyms of dad

• father
• daddy

Examples of dad in a Sentence

Her mom and dad both said she can't go.

my dad did most of the cooking for dinner because he usually got home earlier than my mom

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile Monahan's son will join his dad's band on tour this year. —Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026

Putting fatherhood first Michaela’s dad is a five time All-Star and an MLB MVP. —Charles Baggarly april 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2026

On my first day of chemo, my mom, dad, sister, and husband were all there. —Allie Kubik, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2026

Hartman was also devoted to his wife, Ashley Hartman, and a proud dad to their daughters, Lilah, 13, Zoe, 11, and Phoebe, 9. —Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably baby talk

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing dad

• dad bod
• dad joke
• deadbeat dad

Rhymes for dad

• ad
• add
• bad
• brad
• cad
• clad
• fad
• gad
• glad
• grad
• had
• lad

Kids Definition

dad

noun

ˈdad 

informal

: father entry 1 sense 1a