What is brother-in-law? How to use in English

Discover the meaning of brother-in-law in English, its pronunciation, and how to use it correctly in real-life situations. See examples and easy memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of brother-in-law

brother-in-lawnoun

anh/em rể, anh/em chồng, anh/em vợ

/ˈbrʌð(ə)rɪnlɔː/

Definition & pronunciation of <strong>brother-in-law</strong>

Where does the word brother-in-law come from?

"Brother-in-law" is a compound word that combines "brother" and "in-law." The "in-law" part comes from the Old English "in-laga," meaning "one who is within the law" or "legally related." Originally, "in-law" referred to anyone related by marriage, not just siblings-in-law. Over time, it became more specific, but the core idea remains the same – the relationship arises from a legal connection, namely marriage.

Vocabulary summary brother-in-law

type(irregular) noun, plural brothers-in-law

meaningbrother-in-law; brother-in-law

Example of vocabulary brother-in-lawnamespace

  • Mary's brother-in-law, John, got married yesterday, and we attended their beautiful wedding.
  • My brother-in-law, Mark, is a successful surgeon and has three young children.
  • During my brother-in-law's recent visit, we went on a hiking trip together, and it was an unforgettable experience.
  • My sister's husband, Matthew, is a loving and supportive husband, brother, and friend.
  • I'm excited that my future sister-in-law, Sarah, seems like such a kind and sweet person from our brief interactions.

Synonyms and related words for brother-in-law

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