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New2grammar Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

guardian vs caretaker

0guardian- a person who cares for persons or property02br
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01b00caretaker02b00 - a custodian who is hired to take care of something (property or a person)02br
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00Is there any difference between a caretaker and a guardian. I have to say I'm a bit surprised by the dictionary definition of caretaker. To my knowledge, a caretaker is like a temporary guardian. I could be wrong. 02br
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00Please advise. Thanks!0-
  

Top answer

0A guardian will usually have legal rights regarding the person they are taking care of. I would not use the word guardian to apply to property. " I think of a caretaker far more for 01i 00property 02i 00than a person.

— BarbaraPA

  • 0A guardian will usually have legal rights regarding the person they are taking care of.
  • I would not use the word guardian to apply to property.
  • " I think of a caretaker far more for 01i 00property 02i 00than a person.
  • Interestingly, a "caregiver" is almost the same word, but used for people.
  • 0-
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7 Answers
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0A guardian will usually have legal rights regarding the person they are taking care of. I would not use the word guardian to apply to property. (Perhaps another US/UK difference.)02br
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00A caretaker simply provides "care." I think of a caretaker far more for 01i00property 02i00than a person. Interestingly, a "caregiver" is almost the same word, but
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0I got it all wrong. I wonder what you would call in the following context02br
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00A group of children were taken away and are currently at a shelter with caretakers/caregivers.0-
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0Temporary guardians, or caretakers - it does work with children in this context. Actually caregivers and care providers all work in this instance. The context makes it so clear.02br
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00I was just remarking to my coworker that it's funny that caretaker and caregiver sound like they should be opposites, but they are not!0-
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01cite10Grammar Geek12cite10Temporary guardians, or caretakers - it does work with children in this context.12br
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10I think of a caretaker as a vocation and a guardian as a responsibility. 02br
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00Personally I'd never use caretaker for a child under some sort of protection o
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0Thanks GG. Bokeh, thanks for your opinion. For what it's worth, an article on CNN used caretakers. 0-
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I wonder, then, what we would call the person who receives the care. She is taking it from someone who gives it, but is not a "caretaker." Interesting definition puzzle!
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  • the cared-for (Nel noddings) :academic term-receiver

  • the carer (Nel noddings) :academic term-giver
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