mother-in-law
Partner's female parent
A mother-in-law is the mother of one's spouse.
The relationship is culturally notorious for tension—jokes about meddling mothers-in-law are ancient and universal.
The plural is mothers-in-law: Both mothers-in-law attended the wedding.
The term extends to step-relationships and long-term partnerships without marriage.
Prone to interfering
- overbearingArrogantly dominating in manner
- intrusiveInvading others' privacy
- nosyIntrusively curious
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
interfering · domineering · controlling · judgmental · bossy · disapproving · opinionated · old-fashioned
Senior figure of authority
- grandmotherMother of a parent
- grandparentParent once removed
- ancestorPredecessor in lineage
- matriarchFemale family leader
patriarch · forebear · generation · wisdom · authority · seniority · lineage · heritage
Marriage rite and feast
- spouseMarried partner
- nuptialsVows and rings
- matrimonyLegal union of spouses
- brideWoman getting married
groom · ceremony · vows · engagement · union · honeymoon · anniversary · betrothal
Advice for decisions
- supportiveOffering help and reassurance
- caringShowing kind concern
- adviceGuidance on decisions
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
encouragement · wisdom · bonding · protection · empathy · understanding · patience · affection
Opposition between parties
- strainExcessive stretching force
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- awkwardnessLack of grace or ease
- boundaryLine marking a limit
resentment · dynamics · misunderstanding · discord · stress · rivalry · discomfort · contention
Spouse's family member
- parent-in-lawSpouse's mother or father
- relationsConnections or dealings
- householdDomestic unit of residents
- stepmotherFather's spouse, not birth mother
Attached supplementary building
- multigenerationalInvolving multiple age cohorts
- cohabitationDwelling together unmarried
meddlesome
Prone to interfering
- overbearingArrogantly dominating in manner
- intrusiveInvading others' privacy
- nosyIntrusively curious
critical · interfering · domineering · controlling · judgmental · bossy · disapproving · opinionated · old-fashioned · traditional
elder
Senior figure of authority
- grandmotherMother of a parent
- grandparentParent once removed
- ancestorPredecessor in lineage
matriarch · patriarch · forebear · generation · wisdom · authority · seniority · lineage · heritage
wedding
Marriage rite and feast
bride · groom · ceremony · vows · engagement · union · honeymoon · anniversary · betrothal · alliance
guidance
Advice for decisions
- supportiveOffering help and reassurance
- caringShowing kind concern
- adviceGuidance on decisions
mentorship · encouragement · wisdom · bonding · protection · empathy · understanding · patience · affection · compassion
conflict
Opposition between parties
- strainExcessive stretching force
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- awkwardnessLack of grace or ease
boundary · resentment · dynamics · misunderstanding · discord · stress · rivalry · discomfort · contention · hostility
in-law
Spouse's family member
- parent-in-lawSpouse's mother or father
- relationsConnections or dealings
- householdDomestic unit of residents
annexe
Attached supplementary building
- multigenerationalInvolving multiple age cohorts
- cohabitationDwelling together unmarried
- Parent-in-law
- Momsmom, mama, mommy, mummy, mamma
- hyphenated wordsup-to-date, pitch-black, jaw-dropping, round-the-clock, air-conditioned
- compound wordsbookmark, breakdown, sunlight, breakup, snowflake
- familyfather, parents, siblings, parent, son
- family membersfather, sister, brother, son, daughter
mother-in-lawmother
Female parent
birth mother · biological mother · mom · mama
mother, maternal, motherhood, maternity, mothered, father-in-law, matron, son-in-law, sister-in-law