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pappa

pappa

1 8.1
A word children use for their father
  • noun
  • /ˈpɑːpə/
  • Baby Talk
translation icon : papá
  • We gotta tell Pappa.
  • mamma and pappa
  • Yes, Pappa

Examples

  • Everyone would turn and stare, and Mamma and Pappa would be angry at his disobedience.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • "There's your pappa coming toward us."

    Fiction book (1993)
  • I will bring your pappa here.

  • "I had to help my pappa in the fields.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • But how long must she be shut off like that, Pappa?

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Pappa, this is a family dinner... not some state function.

  • I'm going to have to speak with your pappa.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Yeah, your pappa.

  • And Connie would be the one to inquire, "Was there any mail, Pappa?" keeping her voice low, unexcited.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • My pappa always helps me with my homework after dinner.

Synonyms

dad
vspappa
  • Informal
1.0

A man who is your father

is narrower, being especially used by very young children
daddy
vspappa
  • Baby Talk
1.0

An informal name a child uses for their father

is similar but is a variant often written differently by children
pop
vspappa
  • Informal
252 8.2

A person's father, used as a friendly name

is more child-focused and less adult slang than this term
papi
vspappa
  • Informal
98 9.0

A father or grandfather someone calls in a loving way

is focused on child use for the male parent only
papa
vspappa
  • Baby Talk
83 1.6

An informal word a child uses for their father

is the same meaning but uses a different spelling
pa
vspappa
  • Informal
35 8.2

A father's informal name

is more child-directed and often used by very young children
dada
vspappa
  • Baby Talk
16 9.1

A young child's word for father

is used by children too but is a fuller, less babylike form
poppa
vspappa
  • Informal
2 8.2

A familiar loving name a child uses for their father

is more childlike in use than this adult affectionate form
paps
vspappa
  • Informal
9.9

A friendly name for your father

is used more by very young children than by affectionate adults

Antonyms

1.0

A woman who has given birth to a child

How Familiar

dad
  • Informal
1.0
pappa
  • Baby Talk
1 8.1
father
1.0

Surface Forms

pappa singular
pappas plural

Etymology

Pappa is a simple child word for 'father' that comes from the easy baby sounds pa and ba, and it is like papa in many languages. A helpful way to remember it is to imagine a small child saying the little sound 'pa' to call their dad, which is why pappa means 'father'.