father figure

/ˈfɑðər ˌfɪɡjər/
noun
  1. Alternative spelling of father figure; an older man who is respected and looked up to like a father.
    • He was a father-figure to the neighborhood kids.
    • The principal served as a father-figure for the troubled student.
    • Many young athletes see their coach as a father-figure.
What does "father figure" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean