
The term brother-in-law is used to refer to two different relationships. Firstly, it can refer to the brother of one's spouse. Secondly, it can refer to the husband of one's sibling or the spouse of one's sibling's spouse. The use of the term in-law indicates that the relationship is a result of marriage rather than shared ancestry or blood relation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The brother of one's spouse; the husband of one's sibling; the husband of one's spouse's sibling |
| Examples | "My brother-in-law is a pianist." "My brother-in-law is helping me plan for my husband's surprise birthday dinner." |
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What You'll Learn

Brother-in-law: the brother of your spouse
The term "brother-in-law" is used to refer to the brother of one's spouse or the husband of one's sibling. In other words, if your sibling has a husband, that husband is your brother-in-law. Similarly, if your spouse has a brother, that brother is also your brother-in-law. The use of the term "in-law" signifies that the relationship is not one of blood but is instead a legal kinship created by marriage.
When an individual gets married, their spouse's family becomes part of their own. This is reflected in the use of terms such as "mother-in-law," "father-in-law," "sister-in-law," and "brother-in-law." These terms indicate that the individuals are now legally considered family due to the marriage. The term "in-law" is derived from the concept of these individuals being part of your family according to the law of the country where you reside.
The term "brother-in-law" specifically refers to a male figure within this new legal family. For example, if your brother enters into a civil partnership with someone, that person's brother becomes your brother-in-law. Similarly, if your sister marries someone, her husband becomes your brother-in-law. In both cases, the brother-in-law is related to you by marriage rather than blood.
It is important to note that the term "brother-in-law" does not extend to the brother of your spouse's sibling. In other words, your spouse's sibling's brother is not considered your brother-in-law. However, your spouse's sibling's husband would be your brother-in-law. This distinction lies in the direct relationship between individuals, with the term "brother-in-law" being reserved for more immediate connections.
In summary, the correct usage of "brother-in-law" refers to the brother of your spouse or the husband of your sibling. It is a term that signifies a legal kinship created by marriage, bringing two families together and creating new familial relationships that are recognised and valued in society.
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Brother-in-law: the husband of your sibling
The term "brother-in-law" is used to refer to the brother of one's spouse, or the husband of one's sibling. In other words, if your sibling has a husband, he is your brother-in-law. This relationship is established through marriage, and the husband of your sibling is now considered family, related to you by marriage.
When someone gets married, their spouse's family becomes their own. The spouse's parents become the "mother-in-law" and "father-in-law", and their siblings become "brothers-in-law" or "sisters-in-law". The term "in-law" is used to indicate that the relationship is not based on shared ancestry or blood relation, but rather through marriage.
For example, if your brother marries a woman, her brother becomes your brother-in-law. Similarly, if your sister marries a man, he becomes your brother-in-law. It is important to note that the term "brother-in-law" specifically refers to male figures, and the equivalent term for a female spouse's sister is "sister-in-law".
The plural form of "brother-in-law" can be either "brothers-in-law" or "brother-in-laws", depending on the context and personal preference. Generally, the plural form "brothers-in-law" is considered more grammatically correct, but both forms are commonly used.
In summary, the correct usage of "brother-in-law" is to describe the husband of one's sibling, or the brother of one's spouse. This term signifies a family relationship that is established through marriage rather than blood relation.
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Brother-in-law: a male figure married to your sister
The term "brother-in-law" is used to refer to two different relationships. Firstly, it can refer to the brother of your spouse. So, if you are married, your husband's or wife's brother is your brother-in-law.
Secondly, and perhaps more commonly, the term "brother-in-law" is used to refer to the husband of your sister. In this case, the man is your brother-in-law because he married your sister, and you are related to him by marriage, not by blood. This second usage is the focus of this response.
When your sister gets married, her spouse becomes your brother-in-law. This term is used to refer to a male figure who is related to you through marriage, rather than blood. It is a way to indicate that the relationship is based on family ties that are not shared ancestry. The use of the term "in-law" signifies that the relationship is a legal one, as per the law of the country where you live, and that the brother-in-law is now legally considered part of your family.
The term "in-laws" is often used more generally to refer to your partner's entire family, or your spouse's relatives. For example, your partner's mother becomes your "mother-in-law", and their father becomes your "father-in-law".
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Brother-in-law: a relative by marriage, not blood
The term "brother-in-law" refers to a person who is related to you by marriage, not by blood. Specifically, it is used to refer to the brother of your spouse, or the spouse of your sibling. So, if your sister is married to someone, that person is your brother-in-law, and if your spouse has a brother, he is also your brother-in-law. The use of the term "in-law" indicates that the relationship is a result of marriage rather than a shared ancestry.
The term "in-law" is commonly used to refer to the family of your spouse. So, when you get married, your spouse's relatives become your relatives "in-law". For example, your spouse's parents become your mother-in-law and father-in-law, and their siblings become your sister-in-law or brother-in-law. The term "in-law" is used to distinguish these family relationships from those based on blood or shared ancestry.
The term "brother-in-law" is a compound noun and is hyphenated. It is important to note that the plural form of "brother-in-law" is "brothers-in-law", not "brother-in-laws". This is because the suffix "-in-law" is being used to modify the noun "brother", and when pluralizing a noun, you only need to add an "s" without removing the hyphen.
The term "brother-in-law" is typically used to refer to a male figure. However, it is worth noting that the gender-neutral term "sibling-in-law" can also be used to refer to either a brother-in-law or a sister-in-law. This term may be preferred in situations where gender is not known or is not relevant, or simply as a way to avoid gender-specific language.
In conclusion, the correct usage of the term "brother-in-law" refers to a male figure who is related to you by marriage, either as the brother of your spouse or the spouse of your sibling. The term "in-law" distinguishes these family relationships from those based on blood or shared ancestry.
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Brother-in-law: a compound noun
The term "brother-in-law" is a compound noun that refers to two different relationships defined by marriage. Firstly, it can refer to the brother of one's spouse, or secondly, to the husband of one's sibling. The plural form of brother-in-law is "brothers-in-law", though the colloquial "brother-in-laws" is also used.
The use of the term "in-law" indicates a distinction between family ties based on shared ancestry or legal relations through marriage. Once a couple is legally married, their relatives are also viewed as part of their new family in the eyes of the law. This is why the spouse's family is referred to as "my family in-law".
When referring to specific family members, we use terms like "mother-in-law", "father-in-law", "sister-in-law", and "brother-in-law". For example, if your sister gets married, her husband becomes your brother-in-law. Similarly, your spouse's brother is also your brother-in-law.
It is important to note that the term "brother-in-law" typically refers to male figures, and the relationship is defined by the marriage of a sibling or spouse. The term does not usually refer to a same-sex partner of a sibling or the sibling of a same-sex spouse. In these cases, the relationship may be referred to as a "sibling-in-law" or "brother-in-law" depending on personal preference and comfort.
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Frequently asked questions
Your brother-in-law is the brother of your spouse, or the husband of your sibling.
The term "in-law" is used to refer to your spouse's family members who are now legally part of your family.
When your sibling marries someone, their in-laws do not become your in-laws.
Your brother-in-law's brother is not your brother-in-law.











































