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

The complex was once home to da Vinci and his vineyard and is where Portaluppi lived with his family and father-in-law, politician Ettore Conti. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026

Like his father-in-law, he was inclined to rely less on government employees than on wealthy friends. — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

Following the news of Bianchi’s death, the 35-year-old’s father-in-law shared a statement with NEWS10. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026

My father-in-law was concerned and asked my husband and me to take her to a specialist to see what could be done. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 3 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