fatherly

[ fah-th er-lee ]
/ ˈfɑ ðər li /

adjective

of, like, or befitting a father.

adverb

Obsolete. in the manner of a father.

Origin of fatherly

before 1000; Middle English faderly, Old English fæderlic. See father, -ly

SYNONYMS FOR fatherly

1 Fatherly, paternal refer to the relationship of a male parent to his children. Fatherly has emotional connotations; it always suggests a kind, protective, tender, or forbearing attitude: fatherly advice. Paternal may suggest a kindly, proprietary attitude: paternal interest; but it may also be used objectively, as a legal and official term: his paternal grandmother; paternal estate.

OTHER WORDS FROM fatherly

fa·ther·li·ness, noun pseu·do·fa·ther·ly, adverb un·fa·ther·ly, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for fatherly

British Dictionary definitions for fatherly

fatherly
/ (ˈfɑːðəlɪ) /

adjective

of, resembling, or suitable to a father

Derived forms of fatherly

fatherliness, noun