Vocabulary · Seasons and celebrations
Father's Day in English
A2
Father's Day in English: when it is, words for dad and the family, classic gifts like a tie or a mug, and kind messages to write on a card. With British pronunciation (IPA) and examples.
Quick answer
The day and the family
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Father's Day(n.)“Father's Day is in June.” | a day in June to thank dads | /ˈfɑːðəz deɪ/ |
| father(n.) | a male parent | /ˈfɑːðə/ |
| dad(n.) | the everyday word for a father | /dæd/ |
| daddy(n.) | a young child's word for a father | /ˈdædi/ |
| papa(n.) | an old or family word for father | /pəˈpɑː/ |
| stepfather(n.) | your mother's husband, not your father | /ˈstepfɑːðə/ |
| grandfather(n.) | the father of your mum or dad | /ˈɡrænfɑːðə/ |
| son(n.) | a parent's male child | /sʌn/ |
| daughter(n.) | a parent's female child | /ˈdɔːtə/ |
Classic gifts
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| gift(n.) | something you give to someone | /ɡɪft/ |
| present(n.) | something you give on a special day | /ˈprezənt/ |
| card(n.) | folded paper with a picture and message | /kɑːd/ |
| tie(n.)“Dads love getting ties.” | a long cloth strip worn with a shirt | /taɪ/ |
| socks(n.) | soft things you wear on your feet | /sɒks/ |
| mug(n.) | a big cup for hot drinks | /mʌɡ/ |
| tool(n.) | a thing like a hammer, for fixing | /tuːl/ |
| aftershave(n.) | a nice-smelling liquid for a man's face | /ˈɑːftəʃeɪv/ |
Qualities and feelings
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| love(n.) | a very strong, warm feeling for someone | /lʌv/ |
| hero(n.)“My dad is my hero.” | a person you admire very much | /ˈhɪərəʊ/ |
| proud(adj.) | happy about what someone has done | /praʊd/ |
| caring(adj.) | kind and always helping others | /ˈkeərɪŋ/ |
| funny(adj.) | making you laugh | /ˈfʌni/ |
| kind(adj.) | nice, friendly and helpful | /kaɪnd/ |
Messages and phrases
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Happy Father's Day!(phrase) | the usual greeting on this day | /ˈhæpi ˈfɑːðəz deɪ/ |
| I love you, Dad(phrase) | words to tell him your feelings | /aɪ lʌv juː dæd/ |
| You're the best dad(phrase) | nobody is better than him | /jɔː ðə best dæd/ |
| Thanks, Dad(phrase) | a quick way to show gratitude | /θæŋks dæd/ |
| Number one dad(phrase) | the very best father | /ˈnʌmbə wʌn dæd/ |
Common mistakes to avoid
Fathers Day ❌: write the apostrophe
The correct spelling is Father's Day, with an apostrophe + s (it shows that the day belongs to a father). Not Fathers Day or Father Day. It is the same for Mother's Day.
Not the same date in every country
In the UK, the United States, Canada and many other countries, it is the third Sunday of June. But in Australia and New Zealand, it is the first Sunday of September. Check the country before you send a card.
Practice quiz
Related pages: Father's Day
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
What's next?
Father's Day: learn these words for good
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Frequently asked questions
When is Father's Day?+
Father's Day is on the third Sunday of June in the United States, the UK, Canada and many other countries. Some countries have a different date: in Australia and New Zealand, it is on the first Sunday of September.
How do you wish your dad a happy Father's Day?+
The simplest way is Happy Father's Day, Dad! For something warmer, say You're the best dad in the world. On a card, you can write Thanks for everything, Dad. Love you!
What is the difference between father, dad and daddy?+
Father is formal, or for writing. Dad is the everyday word that teenagers and adults use. Daddy is a word for young children (up to about 8 or 10 years old). Papa is rare in British English, but some American families use it.
What are good Father's Day gifts?+
The classic gifts are a tie, socks, a mug, aftershave or tools. Many families also go out for dinner, have a barbecue, or the children make a card by hand.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/vocabulary/fathers-day
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.