Gavin Howe
A brother-in-law is a male figure who is married to your sister or is your brother if he is in a civil partnership. It can also refer to the brother of your spouse. The use of the term in-law demonstrates that the two are not related by blood but by marriage to a spouse. In Islamic law (Sharia) and Jewish law (halakha), sexual relations between siblings-in-law are prohibited as incestuous.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Relation | Brother of one's spouse; husband of one's sibling; husband of one's spouse's sibling |
| Type of kinship | Affinity |
| Relation by | Marriage |
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What You'll Learn
Brother-in-law: a male figure who is married to your sister
A brother-in-law is a male figure who is married to your sister, or the brother of your spouse. The term 'in-law' is used to indicate that the relationship is not by shared ancestry or blood relation, but rather by marriage. In other words, your brother-in-law is your brother by marriage.
For example, if your sister marries a man, he becomes your brother-in-law. Similarly, if you are married and your spouse has a brother, he is also your brother-in-law. This term is used to refer to a new type of kinship created by marriage, and these relationships are viewed as part of one's family, according to the law of the country.
The term 'brother-in-law' is a compound noun and is hyphenated. The reciprocal relationship is also true; you would be your brother-in-law's brother-in-law. This is a common way to refer to the spouse of one's sibling, but it is not the only way. In Indian English, for example, the term 'co-brother' can be used to refer to the husband of one's sibling.
The term 'brother-in-law' can also be used in a broader sense to refer to a male relative of one's generation, separated by two degrees of marriage. For instance, the brother of your spouse's sibling could be referred to as your brother-in-law. However, this usage is considered uncommon.
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Brother-in-law: your wife's brother
A brother-in-law is a male figure who is married to your sister, or your brother's husband if he is in a civil partnership. The brother of your wife is your brother-in-law because you married his sister. In other words, your wife's brother is your brother-in-law.
A brother-in-law is not a biological brother, but someone who becomes a brother by means of a legal marriage. The use of "in-law" demonstrates that the two are not related by blood but by the marriage to a spouse.
In Indian English, the husband of one's sibling-in-law is referred to as a co-brother. This is a male relative separated by two degrees of marriage. For example, the brother of your wife's sister's husband would be your co-brother-in-law.
In Islamic law (Sharia) and Jewish law (halakha), sexual relations between siblings-in-law are prohibited as incestuous, unless the spouse is no longer married.
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Brother-in-law: your husband's brother
A brother-in-law is a male figure who is related to you by marriage rather than blood. The brother of your spouse is your brother-in-law. So, if you are a woman, your brother-in-law is your husband's brother. Likewise, your husband's sister is your sister-in-law.
The term 'in-law' is used to refer to someone who is legally part of your family following a marriage. So, your brother-in-law is your brother through marriage to your spouse. The use of 'in-law' indicates that the two of you are not related by blood.
Your siblings' spouses are also your brothers-in-law. So, if you are a woman, your brother marries a man, that man is also your brother-in-law. This is because he is your brother's spouse and you are related to him by marriage.
In Indian English, the husband of your sibling's spouse is known as a co-brother.
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Brother-in-law: the brother of your spouse
A brother-in-law is a male figure who is married to your sister, or your brother if he is in a civil partnership. The use of the term "in-law" demonstrates that the two of you are not related by blood but by the marriage to a spouse. In other words, a brother-in-law is someone who becomes a brother by means of a legal or lawful marriage.
A brother-in-law is, therefore, the brother of your spouse, or the husband of your sibling. For example, your brother has just got married to James. Now James is your brother-in-law. Likewise, if your sister has just married John, John is now your brother-in-law.
The term can also be used to refer to the husband of your sibling's spouse. For example, if your brother's wife has a brother, he would be your brother-in-law. However, this usage is considered uncommon.
In Indian English, the husband of one's sibling's spouse is referred to as a co-brother.
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Brother-in-law: a brother by means of legal marriage
A brother-in-law is a male figure who becomes a brother to you by means of legal marriage. This term can be used to refer to two different relationships. Firstly, it can refer to the brother of your spouse, i.e., your wife or husband's brother. Secondly, it can refer to the husband of your sibling, i.e., your sister's husband. In both cases, the use of the term "in-law" indicates that the relationship is not by blood but by marriage.
The term "brother-in-law" can also be used in a broader sense to refer to a male relative of one's generation, separated by two degrees of marriage. For example, the brother of your spouse's sibling (your co-brother-in-law) could be considered a brother-in-law. However, this usage is considered uncommon.
It is important to note that the definition of "brother-in-law" can vary across different cultures and languages. For example, in Indian English, the husband of one's sibling-in-law may be referred to as a "co-brother".
In summary, a brother-in-law is a male relative who becomes a brother to you through legal marriage. This term can refer to your spouse's brother or your sibling's husband, with the former being the more common usage. The specific definition may vary depending on cultural and linguistic contexts.
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Frequently asked questions
Your brother-in-law is your wife or husband's brother.
Technically, your brother's wife's brother is not your brother-in-law, but most people would consider him to be.
Yes, your sister's husband is your brother-in-law.
Your brother-in-law is not your biological brother, but your brother by means of a legal marriage.
A brother is someone who shares at least one biological parent with you. A brother-in-law is related to you by marriage.
