fatherly
/ˈfɑːðəli
/adjective
Relating to, resembling, or characteristic of a father, especially in being protective and affectionate: he gave me such a kind and fatherly look...
- This is commendable because the children will continue to have fatherly care, protection and support.
- Paul was taken aback by the fatherly protective instincts that seemed to well up from deep inside him.
- He's being fatherly and affectionate, and I can tell she's soaking it up, so I won't join them.
Synonyms
paternal, fatherlike, avuncular;
protective, supportive, encouraging, vigilant;
kindly, kind, warm, affectionate, tender, caring, compassionate, benevolent, sympathetic, understanding, indulgent;
patriarchal
Derivatives
fatherliness
/ noun ...- It held the friendly fatherliness, the smooth steel of command.
- These were not her people, and she was far from home, and no amount of fatherliness or motherliness could make it so.
- As I was mulling over the fatherliness of the butler's smile, Sara had given a low throaty laugh, stepped up to Dayne, laced her red talons through his blond hair, and pressed her lips on his.