son-in-law: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal to informal. Used across all registers, most common in everyday, legal, and journalistic contexts.
Quick answer
What does “son-in-law” mean?
The husband of one's daughter.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The husband of one's daughter.
A man who has married into one's family through one's daughter. This relational term extends the concept of 'son' to include an individual acquired by marriage, carrying similar familial responsibilities and rights.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No difference in meaning or core usage. Spelling of related words may differ (e.g., 'honour' vs. 'honor'). Hyphenation is standard in both.
Connotations
Neutral to positive familial connotations in both. Slightly more formal than simply using the son-in-law's name.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects. The concept is universally applicable.
Grammar
How to Use “son-in-law” in a Sentence
[Possessive Pronoun/Name] + son-in-law + [Verb] (e.g., My son-in-law works in finance.)[Verb] + [Possessive] + son-in-law (e.g., We welcomed our new son-in-law.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “son-in-law” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The son-in-law flat was at the back of the property.
American English
- They built a son-in-law apartment over the garage.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in discussions of family businesses or nepotism policies (e.g., 'He appointed his son-in-law to the board.')
Academic
Used in anthropology, sociology, and legal studies when discussing kinship structures and marital alliances.
Everyday
Very common in family discussions, introductions, and social contexts.
Technical
Used in legal documents (wills, trusts, immigration forms) to specify precise familial relationships.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “son-in-law”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “son-in-law”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “son-in-law”
- Incorrect plural: 'son-in-laws' (correct: 'sons-in-law').
- Misspelling: omitting the hyphens ('son in law').
- Confusing with 'stepson' (the son of one's spouse from a previous relationship).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a single compound noun, written with hyphens connecting the three elements: son-in-law.
No, not officially. The correct term before marriage is 'future son-in-law' or 'daughter's fiancé'. 'Son-in-law' applies after the marriage is legally concluded.
Typically by his first name. In formal introductions, you might say, 'This is my son-in-law, [Name].'
The female equivalent is 'daughter-in-law' (the wife of one's son).
The husband of one's daughter.
Son-in-law is usually formal to informal. used across all registers, most common in everyday, legal, and journalistic contexts. in register.
Son-in-law: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌn ɪn lɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌn ɪn ˌlɔː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"Like a son to me" (can be used figuratively for a son-in-law).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: He is a SON who came INto the family through the LAW of marriage.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAMILY IS A STRUCTURE (acquired members are 'built in'); MARRIAGE IS A LEGAL BOND (the 'law' component).
Practice
Quiz
What is the correct plural form?