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father-in-law

noun
USFAH-ther-in-law/ˈfɑðɚɪnˌlɔ/UKFAH-thuh-rin-law/ˈfɑːðəɹɪnˌlɔː/

Pluralfathers-in-law

2 meanings of father-in-law

Practice

  1. 1
    nouncountable
    The father of your husband or wife.

    My father-in-law taught me how to fix the old truck.

    She gets along really well with her father-in-law.

    Oppositemother-in-law

    Note
  2. 2
    noundatedcountable
    A stepfather: the man who married your mother or father.

    After his mother remarried, the boy slowly warmed to his new father-in-law.

    `Yes,` replied Snawley. `The fact is, I am not their father, Mr Squeers. I'm only their father-in-law.`
    1839, Charles Dickens, Nicholas NicklebyHere, father-in-law means stepfather, the man married to the children's mother.

    Similarstepfather

    Oppositestepmother

    Note

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Origin

From Middle English fader in lawe, made from father plus -in-law.