son-in-law
Americannoun
plural
sons-in-lawnoun
Etymology
Origin of son-in-law
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English sone in lawe; son, 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.
Iranian media also reported the deaths of his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter.
From Barron's
During the wedding breakfast, Mother Fox, dead more than seven years, showed up in spirit to speak to her new son-in-law, “expressing her approval of the marriage.”
From Literature
For example, don’t invite one son-in-law to a chat, but not the other.
Her nephew, fighting for Ukraine, was wounded in combat while her son-in-law, drafted into Russia's army, was killed.
From Barron's
She lives alone, not far from her daughter and son-in-law, has heart issues and mobility problems, but is still sharp.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
