Definition

A man who is married to someone's mother but is not their biological father.

Example

My stepdad is really good at fixing things around the house.

Conversation

I really enjoy spending time with my stepdad these days.

That's great! It's nice to have a good relationship with him.

Yeah, he takes me fishing on the weekends.

Sounds like a lot of fun! I love fishing too.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Stepdad → The word is formed from "step" (from Old English *stæpe*, meaning a step or degree) and "dad" (a colloquial term for father, likely derived from baby talk). A stepdad refers to a father figure who is not a biological father but is in a parental role due to marriage or partnership.

Memory Tip

Think of 'step' as a degree of relationship and 'dad' as a father figure — a stepdad is a father figure who is a step in the family.

Visually Confused Words