sister-in-law

noun

sis·​ter-in-law ˈsi-st(ə-)rən-ˌlȯ 

-tərn-ˌlȯ

plural sisters-in-law ˈsi-stər-zən-ˌlȯ 

1

: the sister of one's spouse

2

a

: the wife of one's sibling

b

: the wife of one's spouse's sibling

Examples of sister-in-law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jason Kelce knows that his future sister-in-law is in high demand. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2025

Justine Lupe and Timothy Simons reprise their roles as Joanne and Noah’s siblings, respectively, as well as Jackie Tohn as Noah’s sister-in-law Esther. —Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2025

Several of Jana’s family were in attendance for the big event, including Jessa Duggar Seewald, Joy-Anna Forsyth, Johannah Duggar, Jinger Duggar Vuolo and Jordyn Duggar and sister-in-law Abbie Duggar. —Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025

Really, there’s only one character onstage who commands an audience’s attention, and that’s Hines’ gum-smacking sister-in-law, who turns from antagonist to supporter. —Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sister-in-law

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

Kids Definition

sister-in-law

noun

sis·​ter-in-law

ˈsis-t(ə-)rən-ˌlȯ,

-tərn-ˌlȯ

plural sisters-in-law

-tər-zən-

1

: the sister of one's spouse

2

a

: the wife of one's sibling

b

: the wife of one's spouse's sibling