next of kin
Americannoun
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a person's nearest relative or relatives.
The newspaper did not publish the names of casualties until the next of kin had been notified.
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Law. the nearest relative or relatives who share in the estate of a person who dies intestate.
noun
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.
How does one go about helping a very elderly man who has only me as his next of kin?
From MarketWatch • Mar. 21, 2026
On behalf of Bosh's next of kin, Mark Stewart KC said: "People might wonder and ask why it is that police officers who are armed do not shoot to injure by shooting an extremity."
From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026
Identities of the deceased service members will be withheld for 24 hours after next of kin is informed.
From Salon • Mar. 13, 2026
A local magistrate ordered that the bodies be handed over to the Iranian embassy in Colombo for repatriation to the next of kin.
From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026
“How can Rasseem be your next of kin? He practically hates you!”
From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri
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.
