father-in-law

noun

ˈfä-t͟hə-rən-ˌlȯ 

-t͟hərn-ˌlȯ

plural fathers-in-law ˈfä-t͟hər-zən-ˌlȯ 

1

: the father of one's spouse

2

archaic : stepfather

Examples of father-in-law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to evidence heard in court, the 38-year-old defendant, his son and father-in-law got ready for dinner after a day at the pool and were making their way to the elevator from their fourth-floor room at the King Evelthon hotel on July 12. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

My father-in-law proceeded to unload it on our driveway without so much as asking! — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 3 Oct. 2026

Hong Kong — Days before Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi was killed, her father-in-law and brother-in-law allegedly went on an ominous shopping spree. — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

Like her father-in-law King Charles, Kate is an avid gardener. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for father-in-law

• avoirdupois
• aa
• aha
• bashaw
• bradshaw
• byelaw
• bylaw
• chainsaw
• cheraw
• coleslaw
• crenshaw
• dada

Kids Definition

father-in-law

noun

fa·​ther-in-law

ˈfät͟h-(ə-)rən-ˌlȯ, 

ˈfȧt͟h-, 

-ərn-ˌlȯ

plural fathers-in-law

ˈfät͟h-ər-zən-, 

ˈfȧt͟h-

: the father of one's husband or wife