sister-in-law

[ sis-ter-in-law ]

noun

, plural sis·ters-in-law.

1. the sister of one's spouse.
2. the wife of one's brother or sister.
3. the wife of one's spouse's sister or brother.

sister-in-law

noun

1. the sister of one's husband or wife
2. the wife of one's brother

Word History and Origins

Origin of sister-in-law¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English syster in lawe; sister, in, law ¹; from Middle English in-lawe “in law,” i.e., “a person within the regulation and protection of the law,” based on the prohibition by Roman civil law and, later, Christian canon law, of marriages within four degrees of consanguinity, i.e., up to and including first cousins

Example Sentences

Just a week after her divorce, she was invited to a wedding by her sister-in-law.

From The Daily Beast

Your sister-in-law is kinder and truly taken aback that you look “so healthy!”

From The Daily Beast

It appears that Jay Z has finally found his 100th problem, and it is his sister-in-law.

From The Daily Beast

His brother and sister-in-law (Garrett Dillahunt and Kate Walsh) hate each other.

From The Daily Beast

One week after that attack, her brother, sister, and sister-in-law were killed by a mortar shell fired by the Syrian military.

From The Daily Beast

But the novel disappeared under the clothes with amazing celerity as the voice of her sister-in-law demanded admission.

From Project Gutenberg

Her sister-in-law pointed out to her that old Mr. Warrender had been very attentive lately.

From Project Gutenberg

It was on the tip of the girls tongue to tell her mother of the visit of Mr. Prentices sister-in-law the evening before.

From Project Gutenberg

And your sister-in-law's own affair, dear Mrs. Dodd, is it an indiscretion to ask you if it is settled yet?

From Project Gutenberg

But I hear from my sister-in-law Mrs. Sanchez that she is in the same case, and has received no Footnote.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aunt
• cousin
• father
• folk
• mother
• niece
• sibling
• uncle