Meanings
plural in-law suites
- A division of a housing unit for use by relatives or friends of the primary residents, who would then usually share an entrance, and some shared space; but would be able to live separately, unlike boarders or roommates. There is no additional sound and fire separation as would be found in a multi-unit dwelling of separate apartments. The suite would contain at the least, sleeping, eating and bathing facilities.
Synonyms: granny suite
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA division of a housing unit for use by relatives or friends of the primary residents, who would then usually share an entrance, and some shared space; but would be able to live separately, unlike boarders or roommates. There is no additional sound and fire separation as would be found in a multi-unit dwelling of separate apartments. The suite would contain at the least, sleeping, eating and bathing facilities.
Origin
From in-law + suite; from the primary users of such suites, i.e., in-laws.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
in-law suite. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in-law%20suite
“in-law suite.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in-law%20suite. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “in-law suite,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in-law%20suite.
Source: in-law suite on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.