mom-in-law: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal to neutral (colloquial). 'Mother-in-law' is the standard term; 'mom-in-law' is a more personal, affectionate, or casual variant.
Quick answer
What does “mom-in-law” mean?
One's spouse's mother.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
One's spouse's mother.
Can refer more broadly to the maternal figure in one's spouse's family, often with legal or social significance. In modern contexts, may refer to a stepmother-in-law or a partner's mother in non-married relationships.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK: The term 'mum-in-law' is the corresponding informal variant, as 'mum' is the standard informal term for mother. 'Mom-in-law' is recognized but strongly marked as American. US: 'Mom-in-law' is the standard informal variant, with 'mom' being common for 'mother'.
Connotations
Both variants (mom/mum-in-law) are generally warmer and more familiar than the formal 'mother-in-law'. The American 'mom-in-law' may sound slightly more integrated into casual speech than the British 'mum-in-law', which can retain a slight jocular or marked tone.
Frequency
In both regions, the formal 'mother-in-law' is significantly more frequent in written and formal spoken language. 'Mom/mum-in-law' is common in direct address, informal writing (texts, social media), and casual conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “mom-in-law” in a Sentence
[Possessive Pronoun] + mom-in-law (e.g., my mom-in-law)Verb + with/about + mom-in-law (e.g., get along with my mom-in-law)Mom-in-law + of + [Person] (less common, e.g., She is the mom-in-law of the CEO.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Might appear in very informal discussions about family leave or personal anecdotes.
Academic
Virtually never used. 'Mother-in-law' is used in sociological, anthropological, or legal contexts.
Everyday
Primary context of use. Common in spoken narratives, family discussions, and informal digital communication.
Technical
Not used. Legal and formal documents use 'mother-in-law'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mom-in-law”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mom-in-law”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mom-in-law”
- Using 'mom-in-law' in formal writing.
- Capitalizing it unnecessarily (e.g., 'My Mom-in-law').
- Omitting the hyphens, creating the ambiguous 'mominlaw'.
- Using it for a stepmother (which is a different relationship).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A 'mom-in-law' is your spouse's mother. A 'stepmom' is your father's wife who is not your biological mother. The relationships are formed through different unions (marriage of your parent vs. your own marriage).
It is not recommended. The standard and expected term in all formal, academic, and legal contexts is 'mother-in-law'. Use 'mom-in-law' only in informal speech or writing.
The direct equivalent is 'mum-in-law', following the UK preference for 'mum' over 'mom'. The usage patterns and formality level are identical.
Yes. The hyphens are crucial. They link the words into a single compound noun. Writing 'mom in law' is incorrect, and 'mominlaw' is non-standard.
One's spouse's mother.
Mom-in-law: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌm ɪn ˌlɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɑːm ɪn ˌlɔː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “My mom-in-law is on the warpath.”
- “The mom-in-law suite (a separate living area in a house).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of it as a contraction: the 'mom' you gain 'in' (because of) 'law' (marriage).
Conceptual Metaphor
FAMILY IS A LEGAL CONTRACT (gained 'in-law'); THE SPOUSE'S FAMILY IS AN ACQUIRED/TERTIARY FAMILY.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'mom-in-law' MOST appropriate?