dad-in-law
LowInformal, Familiar
Definition
Meaning
The father of one's spouse.
An informal, affectionate, or respectful term for the father of one's husband or wife. It often implies a close, familial, and friendly relationship, sometimes replacing the more formal 'father-in-law'.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a colloquial compound noun. Its use signals a less formal, more personal relationship compared to the standard term 'father-in-law'. It's primarily used in direct address or reference within the family.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood and used in both varieties, though slightly more common in British English informal speech. The formation pattern (informal kinship term + '-in-law') is productive in both.
Connotations
Conveys warmth, affection, and a sense of informal integration into the spouse's family. Can sometimes sound slightly juvenile or very casual.
Frequency
Much less frequent than the standard 'father-in-law'. Appears primarily in spoken, conversational contexts and informal writing like social media.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[possessive pronoun] + dad-in-law (e.g., my dad-in-law)[subject] + get on with + [possessive] + dad-in-lawVocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used in business contexts.
Academic
Not used in academic contexts.
Everyday
The primary context. Used in family conversations, personal stories, and informal social settings.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My dad-in-law is very kind.
- He is my dad-in-law.
- I'm going fishing with my dad-in-law this weekend.
- Her dad-in-law helps them with the gardening.
- We get on really well, so I just call him my dad-in-law instead of 'Mr. Smith'.
- My dad-in-law offered me some sound advice about the mortgage.
- Although he's technically my dad-in-law, the relationship we've built feels more like that of close friends.
- Juggling the expectations of your own parents and your dad-in-law can be a delicate balancing act.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Dad' who is yours 'in law' (by legal marriage), not by blood.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAMILY IS A LEGAL CONTRACT (implied by '-in-law'), blended with FAMILIARITY IS PROXIMITY (using the informal 'dad').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calques like *'папа-в-законе'*. The correct equivalent is the descriptive phrase 'свёкор' (husband's father) or 'тесть' (wife's father), though these are formal. Informally, one might use name or first name + patronymic.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'dad-in-law' in formal writing or introductions. Capitalising it as a proper title (e.g., 'Dad-In-Law'). Using it without a possessive (e.g., 'I saw dad-in-law' is non-standard; must be 'my dad-in-law').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'dad-in-law' MOST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it's a recognized informal compound noun, though it is far less common than the standard term 'father-in-law'.
No. A 'stepfather' is your mother's husband who is not your biological father. A 'dad-in-law' is specifically the father of your spouse.
Yes, 'mum-in-law' (or 'mom-in-law' in American English) follows the same informal pattern and is used equivalently for one's mother-in-law.
Yes, as a compound noun, it is standardly written with hyphens: dad-in-law.