Next Of Kin Definition & Meaning

American

British

Etymology

Examples

Synonyms next of kin American

noun

1. a person's nearest relative or relatives.

   The newspaper did not publish the names of casualties until the next of kin had been notified.

2. Law. the nearest relative or relatives who share in the estate of a person who dies intestate.

next of kin British

noun

1. a person's closest relative or relatives

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of next of kin

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Formal identification of the man who died has not yet taken place and the police said efforts were ongoing to trace his next of kin.

From BBC

But while she was delighted when the opt-out system was introduced, she didn't realise the "fatal flaw" of next of kin being able to rescind their loved one's wishes.

From BBC

The name of the victim is being withheld until her next of kin has been informed.

From BBC

The two other individuals who died were men, ages 30 and 55; their identities will be released once their next of kin has been notified.

From Los Angeles Times

“Notification of next of kin is still pending,” according to the email.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.