What does padre mean?
Padre is most often used in English for a priest, particularly a Roman Catholic clergyman, and it may sound more familiar or informal than “priest” itself. The word is especially common in Catholic settings and in communities influenced by Spanish or Italian. In those languages, “padre” also means “father,” and English speakers may use it in the same personal sense. Although “padre” can therefore refer to either a member of the clergy or a male parent, the religious meaning is normally dominant in contemporary English. Its usefulness lies in capturing both roles: a priest is understood as a spiritual father, while the familial sense reflects the word’s long history in languages where the ordinary word for father also became a religious title.
nounA member of the clergy, especially a Roman Catholic priest. In informal use influenced by Spanish or Italian, it can also mean “father.”
- A priest or member of the clergy, especially a Roman Catholic priest.
- Informally, a father, particularly in English influenced by Spanish or Italian.
"The elderly padre welcomed visitors from the church courtyard."
"The elderly padre welcomed visitors from the church courtyard."
"In Spanish, mi padre means “my father.”"
The plural is used when referring to multiple priests or, informally, multiple fathers.
"Several padres attended the meeting."
In both Spanish and Italian, the same word can mean “father” and “priest,” neatly joining family and religious authority.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does padre come from?
Spanish and Italian both have the noun padre, “father,” continuing Latin pater, the native root of paternal. Latin also used the language of the father for the founder or head of a religious community, a sense reflected in related Christian terminology. English borrowed the word primarily for a priest, while the familial meaning remains available in Spanish- and Italian-influenced usage.
Related word forms
How padre is actually used
In English, “padre” is chiefly a term for a priest. It can also mean “father” in Spanish- and Italian-influenced informal usage. In Italian religious titles, it is commonly capitalized as “Padre.”
Easily confused with padre
In its principal English sense, “padre” means a priest, whereas “father” means a male parent.