B2nounformalworkrelationships
US/pəˈtɜːr.nə.ti/
UK/pəˈtɜː.nɪ.ti/
the state of being a father; also used for rights and leave connected with becoming a father
In context
Many companies now offer paid paternity leave when a baby is born.
He took two weeks of paternity leave to help his wife and newborn son.
A court ordered a paternity test to decide who the child’s father was.
Words that go with paternity
noun + noun
- paternity leavePaternity leave is only a few days in some countries.
- paternity testThe paternity test confirmed that he was the father.
- paternity payEmployees are entitled to statutory paternity pay.
- paternity benefitsBetter paternity benefits help families share childcare.
- paternity suitThe singer faced a paternity suit last year.
verb + noun
- take paternity leaveMore fathers are choosing to take paternity leave.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
paternity holidayCorrect: paternity leave