Word
stepfather
Phoneticsstep·fa·ther, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈstɛpˌfɑðɝ/
UK/stˈɛpfɑːðɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. the man who is married to your mother or parent, but who is not your biological father.
n. a male parent by marriage; the husband of one's mother or parent who is not one's biological father.
Examples
“My stepfather takes me to football practice every Saturday.”
“After her mother remarried, she found it took several months to adjust to having a stepfather in the house.”
“The novel explores the delicate emotional landscape of a young boy attempting to integrate his new stepfather into a family unit still mourning the loss of his biological father.”
Examples
simple
“My stepfather takes me to football practice every Saturday.”
contextual
“After her mother remarried, she found it took several months to adjust to having a stepfather in the house.”
complex
“The novel explores the delicate emotional landscape of a young boy attempting to integrate his new stepfather into a family unit still mourning the loss of his biological father.”
Usage
The term is a countable noun and is often used to distinguish from a biological father.
Teaching tip
Learners should note that 'stepfather' refers to the legal or social relationship through marriage, whereas 'foster father' or 'adoptive father' refers to different legal arrangements.
Etymology
From Middle English stepfader, from Old English stēopfæder, from Proto-Germanic *steupafadēr (“stepfather”), equivalent to step- + father. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Stäiffoar (“stepfather”), Dutch stiefvader (“stepfather”), German Low German Steevvader (“stepfather”), German Stiefvater (“stepfather”), Swedish styvfar (“stepfather”), Icelandic stjúpfaðir (“stepfather”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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