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

On what would have been the elder Barbara Bush’s birthday, Laura posted a throwback photo that featured her late mother- and father-in-law with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Maine. — Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026

Alfonso leans into Duffy’s ‘Real World’ past Alfonso is taking a page from his father-in-law’s playbook by participating in a reality show. — Scott Bauer, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Later that year, Swift’s future father-in-law was spotted handing out friendship bracelets to her fans at a Kansas City Chiefs's game on Sunday, October 19. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 2 July 2026

In 1951 Robert Dumas succeeded his father-in-law as the fourth-generation head of Hermès, followed by his son Jean-Louis Dumas as the fifth-generation leader in 1978. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 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