guardian
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
someone who protects or watches over a person, place, or idea.
a person who guards, protects, or preserves something, often acting as a symbolic or literal defender.
Simple“The old dog was a faithful guardian of the family home.”
In context“The museum curators act as the guardians of our cultural heritage, ensuring that ancient artifacts are preserved for future generations.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a person who is legally responsible for a child, often because the parents have died or cannot care for them.
a person legally appointed to have the care of the person or property of a minor, often in loco parentis.
Simple“After his parents died in the accident, his aunt became his legal guardian.”
In context“The court appointed a temporary guardian to oversee the child's welfare while the custody dispute was being resolved.”
UsageOften used in the phrase 'legal guardian'.
- 03 C1 Advanced
someone chosen by a court to make decisions for an adult who is too ill or confused to care for themselves.
a person legally responsible for the affairs of an individual who is deemed incompetent or incapacitated.
Simple“The judge appointed a guardian to manage the elderly man's finances.”
In context“In cases of advanced dementia, a legal guardian may be required to make critical medical and financial decisions on behalf of the patient.”
Synonymsconservatortrustee - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
a famous daily newspaper from the United Kingdom.
a major British daily national newspaper known for its liberal editorial stance.
Simple“I read an interesting article in The Guardian about climate change.”
In context“The Guardian has a long history of investigative journalism and is widely read by those interested in international politics.”
UsageAlways capitalized and usually preceded by 'The'.
“Whether or not Pennsylvania’s bell-to-bell ban bill becomes law, parents and guardians remain central to helping children develop healthy phone habits and communication skills.”
“A wall-sized photograph of two donkeys in a graveyard look over her work like guardian spirits.”
From Middle English gardein, garden, (also wardein, > Modern English warden), from Old French guardein, from the verb guarder, of Germanic origin. Compare French gardien. Doublet of warden. By surface analysis, guard + -ian.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.