Synonyms for father

noun

1. A male parent

   sire, paterfamilias, progenitor, procreator, forebear, forefather, begetter, ancestor, male head of the household, dad*, daddy*, papa*, pa*, the old man*, the governor*, pappy*, pater*, pop*, pops*.

2. An originator

   founder, inventor, sponsor, promoter, publisher, introducer, supporter, encourager, promulgator, author, creator; see also author 1.

3. A civic or tribal elder

   patriarch, city father, dean, Solon; see administrator, elder 2.

4. A priest, especially a Roman Catholic or Anglican priest

   pastor, ecclesiastic, parson, padre*; see priest.

5. An important early Christian

   hermit, commentator, Gregory, prophet, martyr, patriarch, Doctor of the Church, apostolic father, anti-Nicene father.

noun