next of kin
"Next of kin" refers to the closest living relative(s) of a person, often used in legal, medical, and social contexts to determine inheritance, responsibility, or primary contact.
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Definition
B2Legal
(formal)The closest living relative responsible for settling the deceased's estate and inheriting assets.
Example
- In the absence of a will, the next of kin will inherit the estate according to state laws.
B2Medical
(formal)The primary family member to be contacted in case of medical emergencies.
Example
- The hospital needed to inform the patient's next of kin about the surgery.
B2Social
(informal)A person's closest relative or significant other, often listed for emergency contact purposes.
Example
- He listed his spouse as his next of kin on the admission form.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "next of kin":
nearest and dearestsurviving spouseloved oneblood siblingfirst cousin