guardian angel

noun

plural guardian angels

1

: an angel believed to have special care of a particular individual

I'm still around, someone once told me, because I have at least one diligent guardian angel who watches over me.

—Warren Faidley

2

: a person that helps or protects another person or thing

To understand why [Alan] Greenspan seems to have changed from investors' guardian angel into a financial devil of sorts, you've got to understand what he's saying—and what he's not saying.

—Allan Sloane

Earlier this year, the city almost lost the illustrious Seeger's … after a downturn in business. But a guardian angel swooped in to stabilize Seeger's and to prevent Atlanta from having only one haute cuisine restaurant.

—John Mariani

Synonyms of guardian angel

• guardian
• custodian
• defender
• protector
• bodyguard

Examples of guardian angel in a Sentence

He has become a guardian angel for struggling young artists.

his work with the pet rescue center has led many to hail him as a guardian angel and friend to all animals

Recent Examples on the Web

Sundance has been a guardian angel on my whole journey as a filmmaker. —Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 22 Jan. 2026

The Aztecs initially entered into a home-and-home series with GCU back in 2015 after then-coach Dan Majerle and program guardian angel Jerry Colangelo called in a favor with SDSU coach Steve Fisher. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026

Pay careful attention to insights, you’re plugged in to your guardian angels now. —Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2026

Pay careful attention to insights; you’re plugged in to your guardian angels now. —Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 18 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

guardian angel

noun

1

: an angel believed to have special care of a particular person

2

: a person that helps or protects another person or thing