father-in-law

[ fah-ther-in-law ]

noun

, plural fa·thers-in-law.

1. the father of one's spouse.

father-in-law

noun

1. the father of one's wife or husband

Word History and Origins

Origin of father-in-law¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English fader in lawe; father, 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

Robinson always came across as a guy you wished your father-in-law would or could be like.

From Los Angeles Times

In July, she gave a speech at the convention and spoke warmly of her father-in-law.

From BBC

My father-in-law is almost the same age as Biden: I could not imagine my father-in-law being president.

From Salon

She rides It’s a Small World — and my dad had been doing birthday cards and Christmas cards — and she looked up at It’s a Small World and said, “Oh my God, it’s my father-in-law.”

From Los Angeles Times

Stephen’s wife Melanie also had a strong bond with her father-in-law.

From BBC

Related Words

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