Dictionary

dadly en · ADJ

Etymology

From dad + -ly.

Meanings

1. (informal) Of, relating to, or typical of a dad (father).
   • “Night, son,” my dad says, and he gives my chicken-bone shoulder a dadly squeeze. He's pretty cool, my dad! 2015, Sally Warner, EllRay Jakes The Recess King!:
   • By the light of the kerosene lamp, she washed the dishes while Cody dried them. The humdrum domesticity of the task didn't defuse the sexual vibe between them, but Noah harrumphed from time to time in a dadly way to make sure both were aware of his presence in the cabin. 2005, Janet Dailey, Let's Be Jolly:
   • Peter finished his pancakes and tried his best not to come up the stairs with the dadliest questions, complete with the “I'm knocking to respect your privacy but I'm asserting my responsibility as a parent and coming in anyway!” He saw a weird thing. 2016, Nessa Cannon, And Then There's You:

Forms

Synonyms

dadlike · paternal · fatherly