A dad is a father, the male parent in a family. While “father” sounds more formal, dad is the warm, everyday word kids use for the man who raises them. You might say “my father” when introducing him to your principal, but call out “Dad!” when you need help with homework or want to show him something exciting you built.

The word carries affection and closeness. A dad might teach you to ride a bike, help with math problems, make weekend pancakes, or embarrass you with terrible jokes. Some dads are quiet and thoughtful, others loud and playful.

The word dad has a comfortable, familial connotation, unlike father, which is more formal.