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

• 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

My parents met one summer in 1975 at one of my dad’s acoustic shows on the eastern tip of Long Island. —Brooke Lea Foster, People.com, 30 June 2025

The ride portion has distinctly Epcot qualities that are futuristic, educational and a bit dad jokey. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2025

Being picked to join the ranks of her dad's alma mater (Bob even appeared on a 1978 episode) was a dream come true, which made being fired from the show her worst nightmare. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 30 June 2025

Lombard’s dad played for the Braves from 1998-2000 and is now the Tigers’ bench coach. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025

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