next friend

noun

: a person admitted to or appointed by a court to act for the benefit of a person (such as an infant) lacking full legal capacity

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of next friend was in 1579

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Browse Nearby Words

next-door neighbor

next friend

next-gen

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Next friend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/next%20friend. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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Legal Definition

next friend

noun

: a person appearing in or appointed by a court to act on behalf of a person (as a child) lacking legal capacity

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