brother-in-law

[ bruhth -er-in-law ]

/ ˈbrʌð ər ɪnˌlɔ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR brother-in-law ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural broth·ers-in-law.

the brother of one's husband or wife.

the husband of one's sister.

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

Nearby words

brothel, brother, brother jonathan, brother of the christian schools, brother's keeper, am i my, brother-in-law, brotherhood, brotherly, brothers karamazov, the, brotula, brotus

Origin of brother-in-law

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for brother-in-law

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
Then he put his acting career on hold for two years to make a gonzo mockumentary with his brother-in-law, Joaquin Phoenix.
Casey Affleck, Star of ‘Out of the Furnace,’ on His Hollywood Struggles|Marlow Stern|December 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST

My brother-in-law suggested that I email a photo to them, and the rest is history.
Celebrating Sikh Style|Soraya Roberts|October 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Jabez Smith acknowledged his identity and received news of his brother-in-law and his daughter with no signs of pleasure.
Ethel Morton's Enterprise|Mabell S.C. Smith
Under other circumstances I might have said: Mrs. Warburton, it is your brother-in-law who has constituted himself your shadow.
Dangerous Ground|Lawrence L. Lynch
Now we come to the solemn statement of Wiggins' brother-in-law.
Punch or the London Charivari, Vol. 147, September 23, 1914|Various
Mr. Hart spoke of a Mr. Foster,—his brother-in-law,—a lawyer.
St. Nicholas Magazine for Boys and Girls, Vol. 5, September 1878, No. 11|Various
When they were alone, Mrs. Gildersleeve touched on the topic nearest to her brother-in-law's heart.
Mark Gildersleeve|John S. Sauzade

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

noun, plural broth·ers-in-law.

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of brother-in-law

Examples from the Web for brother-in-law

British Dictionary definitions for brother-in-law

brother-in-law

noun plural brothers-in-law