father-in-law

[ fah-th er-in-law ]

/ ˈfɑ ðər ɪnˌlɔ /

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

noun, plural fa·thers-in-law.

the father of one's husband or wife.

Nearby words

father of the house, father substitute, father time, father's day, father, forgive them, for they know not what they do, father-in-law, fatherhood, fatherland, fatherless, fatherly, fathogram

Origin of father-in-law

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at father, in, law¹

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

Examples from the Web for father-in-law

Earl Spencer adds, “Effectively, my great-grandfather sold his children to his father-in-law.”
The Real-Life ‘Downton’ Millionairesses Who Changed Britain|Tim Teeman|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now, it appears, a similar Kate-inspired boost is happening to her father-in-law's business.
Prince Charles Cashes in On Kate's Popularity|Tom Sykes|January 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He caught another break when his father-in-law was one of the Islamists rounded up and imprisoned in 2002.
Who Is Fazlullah? The Pakistani Mullah Who Targeted Malala|Michael Daly|November 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
My father-in-law ended his military career post Korean war as a training officer back home in Canada.
'Let's Talk About Guns' Live Chat Transcript|David Frum|January 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST

My father-in-law, a non-smoker, wandered away to escape the smell.
Accidents Happen to Gun People Too|David Frum|January 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He now went to Mass, and was furious with his father-in-law, who was ruining the family on account of Nana.
A Zola Dictionary|J. G. Patterson
Were he once the father-in-law of the eldest son of a marquis, he thought he might almost be safe.
The Way We Live Now|Anthony Trollope
Fyne was not very communicative in general, but he was proud of his father-in-law.
Chance|Joseph Conrad
Why, there was a man out there who killed his father-in-law—actually killed him—and they didn't do anything to him at all.
The Wild Olive|Basil King
It was reported that Schuyler, Hamilton's father-in-law, was to head the board of directors.
Union and Democracy|Allen Johnson

British Dictionary definitions for father-in-law

father-in-law

noun plural fathers-in-law

the father of one's wife or husband

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

father-in-law

noun, plural fa·thers-in-law.

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of father-in-law

Examples from the Web for father-in-law

British Dictionary definitions for father-in-law

father-in-law

noun plural fathers-in-law