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

His prospective father-in-law, Sholem Shachne Katzenellenbogen, is a rabbi who holds fast to traditional Jewish piety; for him a Yiddish poet means a freethinker, a secular Jew who has cast off Torah law. —Adam Kirsch, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025

Von Furstenberg also knew Herrera’s parents, Mimi and Reinaldo Herrera Sr., through her former father-in-law Tassilo, who was very friendly with them. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 18 Mar. 2025

His father-in-law, the more severe Rabbi Eli-Leizer Epstein, is not in the habit of second-guessing himself, and he will be harshly punished for his dogmatism by a deranged son. —Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025

Days after Tiger, Vanessa and Kai were seen in California, the five-time Masters champion was honored at the White House by Vanessa's former father-in-law President Donald Trump during a reception recognizing Black History Month. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025

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