Phrase guide

daddy issues

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • General-American: /ˈdædi ˌɪʃ(j)uz/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A complex, especially in a girl or woman, originating from an unhealthy relationship with one's father, causing one to behave erratically in romantic relationships.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal, plural, plural-only

Examples

  • Near-synonym: father complex
  • I might have to break up with Nora: she has serious daddy issues that she needs to sort out before dating anyone again.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: isäkompleksi — father complex
  • German: Vaterkomplex — father complex
  • Polish: kompleks tatusia — father complex
  • Portuguese: daddy issues — father complex
  • Spanish: complejos paternos — father complex
  • Spanish: problemas paternales — father complex
  • Spanish: problemas con papá — father complex