Babysitter: meaning, definitions and examples

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babysitter

 

[ ˈbeɪbiˌsɪtər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

childcare provider

A babysitter is a person who cares for children temporarily in the absence of their parents or regular guardians. Babysitters are responsible for supervising and ensuring the safety of the children in their care.

Synonyms

caregiver, childminder, nanny.

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Word Description / Examples
babysitter

Typically refers to a person who temporarily looks after children, often for just a few hours in the evening or on weekends. Usually a less formal arrangement, often with teenagers or young adults.

  • We need a babysitter for Saturday night while we go out for dinner.
  • The babysitter comes every Friday afternoon when I have my yoga class.
childminder

Used mainly in British English, it describes a person who looks after children in their own home or in a registered facility, usually during working hours. It is often a more formal role than a babysitter.

  • She works as a childminder and looks after several children during the day.
  • We found a reliable childminder to take care of our daughter while we're at work.
caregiver

A broader term that can refer to anyone who takes care of someone else, including children, elderly people, or those with special needs. It's not specific to childcare.

  • As a caregiver, he takes care of his elderly parents who need assistance with daily activities.
  • Parents are often the primary caregivers for their children.
nanny

A professional who usually takes on a full-time role, often living with the family and providing consistent, ongoing care. Nannies usually have more responsibilities, including education, meal preparation, and sometimes household chores.

  • The nanny takes care of the children while the parents are at work and even stays overnight sometimes.
  • We hired a nanny to help with our newborn twins.

Examples of usage

  • I hired a babysitter to look after my kids while I went out for dinner.
  • The babysitter played games with the children to keep them entertained.

Translations

Translations of the word "babysitter" in other languages:

🇵🇹 babá

🇮🇳 बच्चों की देखभाल करने वाला

🇩🇪 Babysitter

🇮🇩 pengasuh anak

🇺🇦 няня

🇵🇱 opiekunka do dzieci

🇯🇵 ベビーシッター

🇫🇷 baby-sitter

🇪🇸 niñera

🇹🇷 bebek bakıcısı

🇰🇷 베이비시터

🇸🇦 جليسة الأطفال

🇨🇿 hlídačka dětí

🇸🇰 opatrovateľka detí

🇨🇳 保姆

🇸🇮 varuška

🇮🇸 barnapía

🇰🇿 бала күтуші

🇬🇪 ძიძა

🇦🇿 dayə

🇲🇽 niñera

Etymology

The term 'babysitter' originated in the United States in the early 20th century. It combines 'baby' with 'sitter', indicating someone who sits with a baby. Initially, babysitters were primarily teenagers who provided occasional childcare services. Over time, the role of babysitters has evolved, and professional childcare providers now offer their services as babysitters.

See also: baby, babyhood, babyish.