mother-out-law: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/Non-standardInformal, colloquial, potentially jocular or ironic
Quick answer
What does “mother-out-law” mean?
A wife's mother, viewed as a mother outside the traditional or biological relationship, often formed by analogy with 'mother-in-law'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A wife's mother, viewed as a mother outside the traditional or biological relationship, often formed by analogy with 'mother-in-law'.
A term of address or reference for a wife's mother, sometimes used in specific family or cultural contexts to denote a relationship without the formal legal status of a 'mother-in-law', or to emphasize the distinction from one's biological mother.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally non-standard and rare in both varieties. No significant regional difference in usage pattern.
Connotations
May carry a slightly more jocular or deliberate folksy tone in British English; in American English, might be perceived as a deliberate, informal coinage.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in corpora for both. Appears primarily in personal narratives, fiction, or informal online discourse rather than established usage.
Grammar
How to Use “mother-out-law” in a Sentence
[Possessive pronoun] + mother-out-lawThe term mother-out-law + [verb phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mother-out-law” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We don't have a word for it, so I suppose we mother-out-law her.
American English
- They jokingly decided to mother-out-law each other's parents.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used; linguistics may cite it as an example of analogical word formation.
Everyday
Only in highly specific, informal interpersonal contexts to describe a family relationship.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mother-out-law”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mother-out-law”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mother-out-law”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Assuming it is a standard term known to all listeners.
- Confusing it with 'outlaw' (criminal).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a non-standard, analogical word formation based on 'mother-in-law'. It is not found in standard dictionaries but is used occasionally in informal contexts.
Typically in informal situations to describe the mother of one's wife or long-term partner, especially when emphasizing the relationship exists outside of a formal, legal marriage.
'Mother-in-law' is the standard term for the mother of one's spouse. 'Mother-out-law' is a playful or contextual coinage suggesting a similar relationship but without the formal 'in-law' legal status.
It is not inherently offensive, but its meaning and tone are highly context-dependent. It could be seen as affectionate, jocular, or dismissive depending on usage. Caution is advised.
A wife's mother, viewed as a mother outside the traditional or biological relationship, often formed by analogy with 'mother-in-law'.
Mother-out-law is usually informal, colloquial, potentially jocular or ironic in register.
Mother-out-law: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌðər aʊt lɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmʌðər aʊt lɑː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “She's more of a mother-out-law than a mother-in-law.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'In-law' is official/inside the family. 'Out-law' plays on the opposite, suggesting an unofficial but recognized role 'outside' the formal structure.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS ARE LEGAL CONTRACTS (with 'out-law' subverting the 'in-law' contract metaphor).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate description of 'mother-out-law'?