I need help with a word! If I am her guardian, she is my...?

Question

Hi all,

My sister is now a guardian for a little girl. I was talking about the situation to someone the other day.

What is the English term that describes the girl's relationship to my sister?

yes, of course I know the girl is human and shouldn't be labelled etc etc

but i need the word

i am her employer

she is my employee

i am her guardian

she is my ....?

thanks

Answer 1

The appropriate word is 'ward'.

A ward or a ward of court is a child who is being looked after by an appointed guardian or by a court of law, either because their parents are dead or they are considered to be in need of protection..

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Answer 2

ward is the legal term but it sounds weird and old fashioned to say " She is my sisters ward."  the only synonyms i can think of are "charge" and "protege" and i think it would be even weirder to say "the child is my sister's protege."  what about "foster child"? i don't know if "guardee" is a real word.

Answer 3

I am her guardian.

She is my ward.

ward -

Meaning In Law:

a. a person, esp. a minor, who has been legally placed under the care of a guardian or a court.  

b. the state of being under the care or control of a legal guardian.  

c. guardianship over a minor or some other person legally incapable of managing his or her own affairs.

Answer 4

The girl is a ward of the guardian.

Answer 5

She would be her ward.

Answer 6

I am her guardian.  She is my ward.