daddy

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Also used as a term of address: a father; one's father.

Register: informal

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

By saynt Mary, my lady, / Your mammy and your dady / Brought forth a godely babi!

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Often in the form the daddy of: the most important or influential man in a field or group; a doyen.

Register: informal

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

Chiefly used as a term of address: a man who is not one's father, often but not necessarily older than oneself.

Register: dated, informal, slang

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “daddy” mean?

Also used as a term of address: a father; one's father.

Is “daddy” formal or informal?

daddy is generally informal.