Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

co-father

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.93 in modern English

Syllables: co--fa-ther
IPA

16

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

4

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A person in the relationship of a godfather to the other god-parents, and the legal parents, of a child.

Obsolete

noun

In a male homosexual couple, the nonbiological father (partner of the biological father) of a child.

verb

Example Sentences

"A man invites a good friend, or an important man who might help him, to become his co-father."
"gay co-fathers and their children are never sure of finding acceptance in straight communities."
"Together, we, the contributors gathered here, have co-fathered a child — and it's a boy. He is strong and healthy and eager to be in this world."

Etymology

From co- + father, in sense 1 as a calque of Latin compater, French compère.

Word Breakdown

Prefix: co

Usage

Obsolete

Inflected Forms

co-fathers (plural) co-fathers (present, singular) co-fathering (participle, present) co-fathered (participle, past) co-fathered (past)

Phrases

co-brother co-uncle co-grandfather co-husband co-father-in-law

Frequently Paired Words

co-brother co-uncle co-grandfather co-husband co-father-in-law co-parent co-mother

Synonyms

gossip compadre compère stepfather

Questions

What does co-father mean?: A person in the relationship of a godfather to the other god-parents, and the legal parents, of a child.
Where does co-father come from?: From co- + father, in sense 1 as a calque of Latin compater, French compère.

How to pronounce co-father

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