daughter-in-law
Americannoun
plural
daughters-in-lawnoun
Etymology
Origin of daughter-in-law
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English doughter in lawe; see origin at daughter, in, law 1; 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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
My parents were very supportive - I have a twin sister and my mum was delighted at the prospect of getting a daughter in law.
From BBC • Feb. 20, 2023
A woman who identified herself as Marvin Wiener’s daughter in law declined to comment and asked the Associated Press for privacy “at this time of grief.”
From Slate • Feb. 20, 2022
Asner also was instrumental in the 2017 creation of the Ed Asner Family Center, founded by his son and his daughter in law, to help children with special needs and their families.
From Reuters • Aug. 29, 2021
“John was the love of my life and adored by our sons Jody, Jack and Tommy, daughter in law Fanny, and by our grandchildren.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2020
The countess never regretted her native land, but, happy in the affection of her son and daughter in law and their children, lived happily with them until nearly the end of the century.
From Bonnie Prince Charlie : a Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
