fatherly

adjective

fa·​ther·​ly ˈfä-t͟hər-lē 

1

: of, relating to, or befitting a father

fatherly responsibilities

2

: resembling a father (as in affection or care)

a fatherly old man

fatherliness

ˈfä-t͟hər-lē-nəs 

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

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

Word History

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

fatherly

adjective

fa·​ther·​ly ˈfät͟h-ər-lē 

ˈfȧt͟h-

1

: of or resembling a father

fatherly responsibilities

2

: showing the affection or concern of a father

fatherly advice

fatherliness noun