Meaning & use
legal guardian
Last updated
UK/ˌliːɡl ˈɡɑːdiən/
US/ˌliːɡl ˈɡɑːrdiən/
Meaning
nouncountablelegal
A person given legal responsibility for the care of a child or someone unable to look after themselves.
Grammar: Often paired with parent: a parent or legal guardian.
Patterns
- legal guardian of someone
Under-18s need a parent or legal guardian to sign.
Her aunt became her legal guardian after the accident.
The legal guardian signed the consent form.
Word forms
| plural | legal guardians |
|---|
Common combinations
- parent or legal guardian
- A parent or legal guardian must sign.
- appoint a legal guardian
- The court will appoint a legal guardian.
- become legal guardian
- He became legal guardian of his nephew.
- act as legal guardian
- She acted as legal guardian for years.
- consent of a legal guardian
- Consent of a legal guardian is required.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- guardianship noun
- the legal role
- guardian noun
- protector
- legally adverb
- according to the law
Commonly confused: legal guardian or guardian angel?
legal guardian vs guardian angel
A guardian angel is a spiritual protector, not a legal role.
Practice
Who can be a legal guardian?
Choose one answer.
A legal guardian is anyone given legal responsibility.
Make it your own
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