# dad

/ˈdæd/ (US) · /dˈæd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dad
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a father

noun · CEFR A1 · Informal

an informal name for a father.

For teachers: an informal term for a male parent.

- My dad took me to the park every Saturday when I was a child.
- After retiring from the firm, her dad spent most of his time restoring vintage motorcycles in the garage.

### 2. addressing a father

noun · CEFR A1 · Informal

a name you use when talking directly to your father.

For teachers: a vocative used to address one's own father, often capitalized when used as a proper name.

- Can you help me with my homework, Dad?
- I was wondering, Dad, if you might have a moment to look over the contract before I sign it.

Usage: Capitalized when used as a proper noun without a possessive pronoun.

Teaching tip: Remind students that 'my Dad' is usually a capitalization error in modern English; it should be 'my dad' or just 'Dad'.

### 4. to act as a father

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal · Humorous

to act like a father or to look after someone like a father does.

For teachers: to perform the duties or display the typical characteristics associated with being a father.

- He really stepped up to dad his younger siblings after their parents passed away.
- He spent the weekend dadding hard, flipping burgers at the grill and teaching the kids how to pitch a tent in the backyard.

Usage: Often used in the progressive form 'dadding' to describe stereotypical fatherly behavior.

Teaching tip: This verbal use is often playful or slightly ironic in modern social media contexts.

## Examples

- My dad is coming to visit me this weekend.
- After the game ended, he called his dad to tell him about the winning goal.
- While the term is primarily used within the family unit, many adults continue to refer to their fathers as 'Dad' throughout their lives to maintain a sense of emotional closeness.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.