Skip to main content
guardian

guardian

347 2.8
A person who looks after and protects someone or their things
  • noun
  • /ˈɡɑrdjən/
translation icon : guardián
  • His big brother, Ilya, took him in and became his legal guardian at the age of 18.
  • parents and guardians
  • legal guardian
  • appoint a guardian

And she said it is our duty to be guardians of our dignity.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Only students whose parent or guardian signed the informed consent form participated in the study.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Teachers may sometimes be the guardian, relative, or a family friend of the student.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The other human being, the cat's guardian, has a place at the table here.

  • I need you to call your guardian.

  • And if so, did you say I'd be the guardian to your kids?

  • Written consent from a parent or guardian was required for participation in the screening.

    Academic text (1999)
  • And she said it is our duty to be guardians of our dignity.

  • Informed consent was provided by teachers and parents/guardians, with students assenting to participate.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Ultimately, it is the school counselor's decision to make whether to notify parents/guardians or keep information confidential.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Parents often act as the guardian for their children, ensuring their safety and well-being.

Synonyms

defender
vsguardian
252 2.8

A person who protects someone or something from harm

is more about ongoing care and responsibility rather than fighting threats
protector
vsguardian
129 2.8

A person who defends and cares for another person or thing

is more about steady responsibility and care than only defense
keeper
vsguardian
106 2.5

A person who looks after buildings, animals, or things

is broader and can include legal or protective responsibilities beyond daily care
custodian
vsguardian
40 3.8

A person who takes care of and protects things like buildings, animals, or records

is less limited to property and also includes caring for people
legal guardian
vsguardian
  • Formal
24 3.4

A person or organisation legally chosen to care for someone and manage their money if they cannot care for themselves

is broader and may be informal responsibility without legal appointment
conservator
vsguardian
  • Specialized
4 8.1

A person a court names to manage another person's money and personal decisions

is more general, covering personal protection or simple care roles
protectress
vsguardian
1 7.5

A woman who keeps people or places safe

is the gender-neutral term used for general protection roles
chargee
vsguardian
  • UK
9.3

A person who takes care of someone or manages something

is usually a longer-term carer rather than a temporary assignee

Compounds

A spirit or person people believe protects and helps someone

24 3.4

A person or organisation legally chosen to care for someone and manage their money if they cannot care for themselves

guardian spirit
  • Literature
1 7.9

A protective being or angel that watches over a person

How Protective

protector
129 2.8
defender
252 2.8
guardian
347 2.8
caretaker
60 1.9
custodian
40 3.8

Surface Forms

guardian singular
guardians plural

Morphology

guardian = guard (transparent) = guard + ian

The word 'guardian' is transparently derived from 'guard' with the suffix '-ian', indicating a person who performs the action of guarding.

Etymology

Guardian comes from an old French form of guard, meaning 'to watch' or 'protect', and is related to the everyday English word ward; so a guardian is literally someone who watches over and keeps a person or thing safe.