father-in-law

noun

ˈfä-t͟hə-rən-ˌlȯ How to pronounce father-in-law (audio)
-t͟hərn-ˌlȯ
plural fathers-in-law ˈfä-t͟hər-zən-ˌlȯ How to pronounce father-in-law (audio)
1
: the father of one's spouse
2
archaic : stepfather

Examples of father-in-law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In his second term, the president has also appointed Massad Boulos, the father-in-law of his daughter, Tiffany Trump, as a senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs and a senior adviser on Africa. Meredith Kile, People.com, 20 May 2025 Del Toro’s character is loosely based on Anderson’s father-in-law as well as other European magnates, i.e. Aristotle Onassis. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 May 2025 The character was then crossbred with a variety of other inspirations, chief among them Anderson’s late father-in-law, Fuad Malouf (to whom the picture is dedicated), a Lebanese engineer who had a vast array of ongoing international projects. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 May 2025 Part of the film is inspired by Anderson’s late father-in-law Fouad Malouf (to whom the project is dedicated), and in recent interviews the director has suggested that having his own daughter likely influenced thematic elements of the film. Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for father-in-law

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of father-in-law was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Father-in-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/father-in-law. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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

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