father figure
Male role model
A father figure is a man who serves as a paternal role model, providing guidance, protection, or emotional support typically associated with fathers.
The term usually implies the person isn't the biological father: My uncle became a father figure after my dad left.
Coaches, teachers, mentors, and older relatives often fill this role for those lacking present fathers.
One who safeguards others
- providerOne who furnishes things
- patriarchMale head of family
- breadwinnerPrimary household earner
- head of householdFamily's chief decision-maker
caretaker · disciplinarian · authority · affection · tough love · family man · paterfamilias · papa
One who gives guidance
- coachOne who instructs
- counselorOne who advises
- guideLeader or instruction book
- teacherOne who instructs others
tutor · sensei · guru · elder · sage · confidant · role model · guardian
One admired for courage
- idolObject of worship
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
- exampleRepresentative case shown
- iconPictorial screen symbol
influence · champion · beacon · paragon · exemplar · pillar · standard-bearer · admired
Guidance on decisions
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
- counselExpert guidance offered
- directionWay something faces
- supportTo uphold or sustain
nurturing · teaching · instruction · encouragement · discipline · training · life lessons · moral compass
protector
One who safeguards others
- providerOne who furnishes things
- patriarchMale head of family
- breadwinnerPrimary household earner
head of household · caretaker · disciplinarian · authority · affection · tough love · family man · paterfamilias · papa · dad
advisor
One who gives guidance
teacher · tutor · sensei · guru · elder · sage · confidant · role model · guardian · big brother
hero
One admired for courage
- idolObject of worship
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
- exampleRepresentative case shown
icon · influence · champion · beacon · paragon · exemplar · pillar · standard-bearer · admired · respected
advice
Guidance on decisions
support · nurturing · teaching · instruction · encouragement · discipline · training · life lessons · moral compass · values
- family themesparent, child, brother, sister, son
- Father-Daughter ThemesKing Lear, Cordelia, Atticus Finch, Scout Finch, Elizabeth Bennet
- patriarchymale dominance, male supremacy, pater familias, patria potestas, male privilege
- fatherhooddad, daddy, papa, pa, pop
- character typesprotagonist, hero, antagonist, villain, heroes
- father-daughterdaddy, papa, dad, first dance, guidance
father figuredependent
Requiring outside support
protégé · ward · charge · mentee · adopted son
father figurebad influence
One who encourages wrongdoing
abuser · absent father · corruptor · tormentor · predator
father, figure, grandfather, fatherly, fatherhood, fathers, paternal, configuration, fathered