fa·ther·ly

(fä′thər-lē)

adj.

1. Of, like, or appropriate to a father: fatherly love.

2. Showing the affection of a father.

adv.

In a manner befitting a father.

fa′ther·li·ness n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

fatherliness - the benignity and protectiveness of or befitting a father; "the gentleness and fatherliness of the strange old man eased her fears"

paternal quality

parental quality - a quality appropriate to a parent

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

Now I spend more and more time defending Alec -- despite his intelligence, civic and charity-mindedness, his devoted fatherliness, before and after his scolding of his older daughter, Ireland, on a cellphone, which became public for everyone to hear.

Alec Baldwin, Lindsay Lohan -- and the ones who love them

So this is what I need to say to you, smattering of public figures and showbiz personalities, and it is said in the spirit of fatherliness and with love.

TIPS ON HOW TO BE A CELEB

Darling, "Peter Pan permanently rejects fatherliness, including his own, by refusing to enter the pre-requisite order of manhood" (Rotert 115).

Queering the reader in Peter and Wendy

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.