like father, like son
A son takes after his father.
Jason is headstrong and impatient—like father, like son.
ADJ
lone, single
My neighbor is a lone father who works two jobs to support his kids.
widowed | absent | biological, natural, real | adoptive, foster, step-
surrogate
After his own father left, the coach became a surrogate father figure in his life.
elderly, old | dead, deceased, late
caring, devoted, good, loving, marvellous
My grandfather was a devoted father who always made time for his three children.
adoring, doting, indulgent
beloved
My beloved father taught me how to cook his favorite recipes when I was young.
proud
My grandfather was a proud father who always attended every school event.
domineering, overbearing, possessive | drunken, violent
doctor, engineer, immigrant, etc.
My immigrant father worked hard to build a better life for our family.
VERB + FATHER
resemble, take after
My daughter has her mother's eyes, but she really takes after her father in personality.
follow, succeed
His son decided to follow his father and became a doctor too.
inherit sth from
My grandfather inherited his love of cooking from his father, who was a chef.
FATHER + NOUN
figure
My grandfather became a father figure to me after my parents divorced.
PHRASES
a father of two, etc.
The new principal is a father of three who volunteers at the local community center.
follow in your father's footsteps
My sister wanted to follow in our father's footsteps and become a doctor.
the death/loss of your father