appropriate adult

noun

An adult, such as a parent, guardian, or social worker, whose role is to safeguard the interests of young or handicapped people detained by the police, and who must be present at such interviews.

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Meanings

nounappropriate adult (plural appropriate adults)

plural appropriate adults

  1. UKcriminal lawAn adult, such as a parent, guardian, or social worker, whose role is to safeguard the interests of young or handicapped people detained by the police, and who must be present at such interviews.
Cite this entry
APA

appropriate adult. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/appropriate%20adult

MLA

“appropriate adult.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/appropriate%20adult. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “appropriate adult,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/appropriate%20adult.

Source: appropriate adult on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.