brother-in-law

[ bruhth-er-in-law ]

/ ˈbrʌð ər ɪnˌlɔ /

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See synonyms for brother-in-law on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural broth·ers-in-law.

the brother of one's spouse.

the husband of one's sister or brother.

the husband of one's spouse's sister or brother.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of brother-in-law

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English brother in law(e); see origin at brother, in, law¹; from Middle English in-lawe “in law,” i.e., “a person within the regulation and protection of the law,” based on the prohibition by Roman civil law and, later, Christian canon law, of marriages within four degrees of consanguinity, i.e., up to and including first cousins

Words nearby brother-in-law

bro talk, broth, brothel, brother, brotherhood, brother-in-law, Brother Jonathan, brotherly, Brother of the Christian Schools, brother's keeper, Am I my, brotula

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use brother-in-law in a sentence

In the video, Solange smacks and kicks her brother-in-law while Beyonce DOESN'T EVEN FLINCH.
Solange Smacks Jay Z, Legolas Slaps Bieber, and the Biggest Celebrity Feuds of the Year|Amy Zimmerman|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Seven days after receiving the letter from Navarro, Abidogun had yet to break the “bad news” to his brother-in-law and his nephew.
Ebola Racism Reaches a New Low in Texas|Abby Haglage|October 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her mother, brother, and nephew—and her brother-in-law did it, too.
Quincy Jones Talks Chicago’s Mean Streets, Why Kanye West Is No Michael Jackson, and Bieber|Marlow Stern|September 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Jenner's soon-to-be brother-in-law, Kanye West, beamed with pride as he watched from the front row.
Kendall Jenner Walks for Givenchy; Suzy Menkes Named Vogue's International Editor|The Fashion Beast Team|March 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

So he rode home to call Virginia City, to ask for his foster brother-in-law.
The Ballad of Johnny France|Richard Ben Cramer|January 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Their jurisdictions overlapped and the Gascon would play second fiddle to no one save to his great brother-in-law.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
She reached out for her pistol, but withdrew her hand as she heard the careless laugh of her brother-in-law.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
The ruling passion of the brother-in-law was a stern and acrimonious party spirit.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
The brother-in-law of Vergniaud came to visit him, and brought with him his son, a child ten years of age.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
Mr. Levine's face remained supernaturally polite while it guarded his opinion that it wasn't his brother-in-law's magazine at all.
The Creators|May Sinclair

British Dictionary definitions for brother-in-law

brother-in-law

noun plural brothers-in-law

the brother of one's wife or husband

the husband of one's sister

the husband of the sister of one's husband or wife

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

brother-in-law

Origin of brother-in-law

Words nearby brother-in-law

Words related to brother-in-law

How to use brother-in-law in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for brother-in-law