daddy
UK: ˈdædi | US: ˈdædi
n. an informal or affectionate term for "father"
n. (slang) a dominant male figure in certain subcultures
daddy = dad<father> + dy<diminutive suffix>
- dad: From Middle English dadd, a nursery term for "father," likely imitative of early child speech (reduplicated "da-da").
- dy: A diminutive suffix, often used to express familiarity or affection (e.g., Billy, doggy).
Etymology Origin:
The word daddy emerged in the 16th century as a playful, affectionate variant of dad, itself rooted in baby talk. The reduplicated "da-da" sound is common across languages (e.g., papa, tata), reflecting the simplicity of early speech patterns. The -dy suffix reinforces endearment, making daddy a warmer alternative to the neutral father. Over time, it also acquired slang meanings, such as a term of respect for dominant figures.
The little girl ran to her daddy after school.
He’s a single daddy raising two kids on his own.
(Slang) In the community, he’s known as the daddy of the group.
She still calls her father "daddy" even as an adult.
Daddy Long Legs is a nickname for certain spiders.