Meaning & use
angel guardian
Last updated
“angel guardian” is a form of “guardian angel”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nouncountablereligion
A protective spirit believed to watch over and help a particular person.
Grammar: Countable: you can say a guardian angel or two guardian angels.
Patterns
- someone's guardian angel
- believe in a guardian angel
In many religious traditions, every person is said to have a guardian angel.
She prayed to her guardian angel before the dangerous journey.
The old painting shows a guardian angel standing beside a sleeping child.
nouncountablefigurative
A person who protects or supports someone, especially in a difficult situation.
Grammar: Often used figuratively and followed by of: a guardian angel of the poor.
Patterns
- a guardian angel to someone
- act as someone's guardian angel
A wealthy stranger became her guardian angel and paid for her studies.
He has been a guardian angel to the family since their father died.
The charity acts as a guardian angel for homeless teenagers.
Word forms
| plural | guardian angels |
|---|
Common combinations
- someone's guardian angel
- She felt her guardian angel was watching over her.
- believe in guardian angels
- Many children believe in guardian angels.
- a guardian angel of the poor
- The nun was called a guardian angel of the poor.
- pray to your guardian angel
- He prayed to his guardian angel for courage.
- act as a guardian angel
- The lawyer acted as a guardian angel for the refugees.
Synonyms and how they differ
- protector
- A protector is a real person who keeps someone safe, while a guardian angel is usually a spirit or a very helpful person.
- patron saint
- A patron saint is a holy figure linked to a place, job, or group, not a personal spirit that follows one person.
Word family
- guardian noun
- A person who protects or is legally responsible for someone.
- guardianship noun
- The position or duty of protecting and caring for someone.
Commonly confused: angel guardian or guardian angel?
angel guardian vs guardian angel
This is the standard word order and is far more common; "angel guardian" is a rare, literary reversal of it.
Practice
Which sentence uses the phrase in the most natural way?
Choose one answer.
"Guardian angel" is the standard order, and with "her" we use the singular "angel" plus the singular verb "follows." Option A reverses the usual order, and options C and D have subject-verb agreement errors.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “angel guardian”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.