single father: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumNeutral/Formal
Quick answer
What does “single father” mean?
A father who raises his child or children without a partner.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A father who raises his child or children without a partner.
A man who has primary or sole responsibility for parenting his children, often resulting from separation, divorce, death of a partner, or choice.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; both use 'single father'. The term 'solo dad' is an occasional informal variant, more common in the US.
Connotations
Generally neutral. In both cultures, the term can carry connotations of challenge, responsibility, and a shifting social role.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both dialects, reflecting comparable social trends.
Grammar
How to Use “single father” in a Sentence
[single father] + of + (child/children)[single father] + raising + (child/children)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “single father” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He had to single-father his twins for a year.
- The challenge of single-fathering is immense.
American English
- He's been single-fathering since the divorce.
- They discussed the realities of single-fathering.
adverb
British English
- He parented single-fatherly with great dedication. (Rare/constructed)
American English
- He managed the household single-fatherly. (Rare/constructed)
adjective
British English
- He joined a single-father support group.
- The single-father experience varies widely.
American English
- She wrote a book on single-father households.
- There are unique single-father challenges.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in HR contexts regarding parental leave policies.
Academic
Used in sociology, psychology, and family studies research.
Everyday
Common in conversation about family structures and parenting.
Technical
Used in legal contexts pertaining to custody and child support.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “single father”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “single father”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “single father”
- Using 'single father' to mean a father who is unmarried but cohabiting with the child's mother.
- Confusing with 'single parent', which is gender-neutral.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if he is raising his child or children alone, a widower is a single father.
'Single dad' is a more informal, colloquial version of 'single father'. The meaning is identical.
Typically, 'single father' implies primary or sole care. If custody is shared equally (50/50), terms like 'co-parenting father' are often more precise, though he may still refer to himself as a single father.
Yes, it is a noun phrase that functions as a compound noun, naming a specific social/family role.
A father who raises his child or children without a partner.
Single father is usually neutral/formal in register.
Single father: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɪŋɡl ˈfɑːðə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɪŋɡl ˈfɑːðər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Wearing both hats (as a single father)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a man standing alone ('single') with a child on his shoulders, representing the 'father' role.
Conceptual Metaphor
PARENTING IS A JOURNEY (navigated alone).
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase best describes a 'single father'?