in-laws (noun) — A relative by marriage (or through affinity). Affinal relative; affine.
in laws sounds exactly like in-laws but has a different meaning and spelling. Mixing these up is one of the most common spelling mistakes in English.
in-laws
noun
A relative by marriage (or through affinity). Affinal relative; affine.
How to Remember the Difference
- → Focus on meaning first — once you know what each word means, the correct spelling follows naturally.
- → Write a test sentence for each word and save it as a reference.
- → When in doubt, look up the definition — if it doesn't match your sentence, switch to the homophone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a homophone of in-laws?
in laws is a homophone of "in-laws". They sound identical when spoken but have different meanings and spellings.
What is the difference between in-laws and in laws?
"in-laws" and "in laws" sound the same but have different meanings. See the definitions above for how to use each correctly.
What is a homophone?
A homophone is a word that sounds exactly like another word but has a different meaning and often a different spelling. Examples include "their / there / they're", "to / too / two", and "in-laws / in laws". Homophones are a common source of spelling and grammar mistakes.
How do I remember the difference between in-laws and in laws?
A good strategy is to memorize a short sentence that uses each word correctly, then recall that sentence when you are unsure. For example, focus on the meaning first — then let the spelling follow from context. Reading and writing regularly also helps these distinctions become automatic.