father-in-law
Partner's male parent
A father-in-law is the father of one's spouse.
The relationship exists through marriage rather than blood: My father-in-law taught me to fish.
The plural is fathers-in-law.
The term sometimes carries cultural weight—jokes about difficult in-laws, or expectations about welcoming someone into the family.
Male head of family
- elderSenior figure of authority
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
- providerOne who furnishes things
protector · advisor · guidance · wisdom · experience · seniority · figurehead · disciplinarian
Relatives through marriage
- kinBlood-connected people
- affinityNatural liking or attraction
- relationsConnections or dealings
- extended familyRelatives beyond parents, siblings
relative · connection · alliance · clan · household
Marriage rite and feast
- spouseMarried partner
- matrimonyLegal union of spouses
- nuptialsVows and rings
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
betrothal · dowry · bride-price · engagement · union · alliance · match · blessing
Male household head
Binding tie or connection
- respectRegard with honor
- approvalFavorable opinion given
- acceptanceConsent to receive
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
tension · dynamics · boundary · rapport · trust · communication · expectation · tradition
patriarch
Male head of family
- elderSenior figure of authority
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
provider · protector · advisor · guidance · wisdom · experience · seniority · figurehead · disciplinarian · stern
in-laws
Relatives through marriage
extended family · relative · connection · alliance · clan · household
wedding
Marriage rite and feast
ceremony · betrothal · dowry · bride-price · engagement · union · alliance · match · blessing · permission
pater familias
Male household head
lineage · ancestry · heritage · genealogy · bloodline · dynasty
bond
Binding tie or connection
- respectRegard with honor
- approvalFavorable opinion given
- acceptanceConsent to receive
blessing · tension · dynamics · boundary · rapport · trust · communication · expectation · tradition · formality
- Parent-in-law
- hyphenated wordsup-to-date, pitch-black, jaw-dropping, round-the-clock, air-conditioned
- familymother, parents, siblings, parent, son
- family membersmother, sister, brother, son, daughter
- relationshipsfriends, romantic, family, friend, flirting
- weddingwedding, wedding ring, marry, wedding ceremony, wedding rings
father-in-lawbiological father
Male progenitor by blood
birth father · father · natural father · dad · papa
father, fathers, paternal, mother-in-law, son-in-law, sister-in-law, paternity, patriarchal, patronymic