View synonyms for

sister-in-law

[sis-ter-in-law]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural

sisters-in-law

the sister of one's spouse.
the wife of one's brother or sister.
the wife of one's spouse's sister or brother.

sister-in-law

noun

the sister of one's husband or wife
the wife of one's brother

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Word History and Origins

Origin of sister-in-law¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English syster in lawe; sister, 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

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Wong was walking to a party after he had dropped off his wife, two children and sister-in-law and then parked his car several blocks away, the post said.

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His sister-in-law, niece, nephew and two daughters pitch in at the markets.

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The BBC understands the property is rented to the prime minister's sister-in-law.

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Earlier this week, the girl's father had also filed for a temporary transfer of legal authority, which according to state law would give his sister-in-law - also a US citizen - custody of the children.

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A shattered lilac plate from my sister-in-law can be glued back together.

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Related Words

aunt��
cousin��
father��
folk��
mother��
niece��
sibling��
uncle��

sisterhood sisterly

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