dad
gb/dˈæd/ us/dˈæd/
A1
English
~ 4600
apa, apu, apuka
NOUN
A1
INFORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s dad
My dad taught me how to ride a bike.
Apukám tanított meg biciklizni.
We're going fishing with Dad this weekend.
A hétvégén apával megyünk horgászni.
Dad always makes pancakes on Sundays.
I called my dad to tell him the news.
Her dad works as a doctor.
Learner examples
My dad is at home.
Apa otthon van.
I love my dad.
Szeretem apukámat.
My dad drives a car.
Dad is in the kitchen.
This is my dad.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'dad' with 'father' in formal writing; 'dad' is more casual and used mainly in speech and informal text.
Meaning
Informal term for father
Collocations
my dad
|dad and mom
|dad's house
|ask dad
|call dad
Synonyms
father (More formal and neutral term for male parent.)
|
papa (More affectionate or childlike term, sometimes regional.)
Antonyms
mother (Refers to the female parent, opposite in gender to 'dad'.)
Themes
family
|daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A friendly or casual word for your father.
An informal term used to refer to one's male parent.
Grammar
Dictionary form
dad
IPA
GB/dˈæd/
US/dˈæd/
Syllables & stress
dad (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (dad)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: dad
- Plural: dad, dads
Word family
Expressions
dad joke
1/dˈæd d͡ʒˈoʊk/
fixed phrase
informal
Corny or predictable joke by a dad
A simple, silly joke that is often not very funny, told by dads.
Examples
- He told another terrible pun—just a classic dad joke.
- That was such a dad joke, but it made me smile.
who's your daddy?
1/hˈuz jˈʊɹ dˈædi ‖/
idiom
informal
Phrase asserting dominance or control
A slang phrase used to show power over someone, often joking or teasing.
Examples
- After winning the game, he shouted, 'Who's your daddy?'
- It's just a joke when she says, 'Who's your daddy?' after beating me at chess.
who's your daddy?
2/hˈuz jˈʊɹ dˈædi ‖/
idiom
slang
boastful question to show dominance
A rude or playful question someone says to show they feel powerful or better than another person, sometimes with a sexual feeling.
Examples
- After winning the video game, he shouted "Who’s your daddy now?" at his friend.
- The coach told his team never to yell "Who’s your daddy?" at opponents because it was disrespectful.
- That phrase, "Who’s your daddy?", became popular in movies and sports trash talk.
like father, like son
1/lˈaɪk fˈɑðɚ | lˈaɪk sˈʌn/
idiom
Son is similar to his father
A son often acts or looks like his father.
Examples
- He loves fishing just like his dad—like father, like son.
- He loves fishing, just like his dad. Like father, like son.
- He loves fishing just like his dad. Like father, like son.
- He loves fixing cars, just like his dad. Like father, like son.
- They both have the same laugh. Like father, like son.
- Both are stubborn—like father, like son.
- They both have the same laugh—like father, like son.