Sitter: meaning, definitions and examples

A general term for someone who watches over children or pets for a short period. Often used in informal settings.

• I'm going to the movie tonight, so I hired a sitter for the kids
• Do you have a reliable sitter for your pets while you're away?

Specifically refers to someone, usually young, who looks after children for a few hours, often during evenings or weekends.

• We need a babysitter for Saturday night
• The babysitter arrived at 6 PM and took great care of the kids

Commonly used in the UK, this term refers to a registered person who looks after children in their own home. It has a more professional connotation than 'babysitter'.

• We found a wonderful childminder who takes care of our children while we are at work
• The childminder provides both educational activities and meals

A professional caregiver who is employed to look after a child or children on a regular, often full-time basis, and may live with the family.

• They hired a nanny to take care of their newborn
• Our nanny has been with us for years and is like part of the family

Typically used in art and photography to describe a person who poses, usually seated, for a portrait or photo session.

• The painter asked the sitter to remain still while he worked on the portrait.
• The photographer instructed the sitter to look directly at the camera.

Refers to a person employed to display products, clothes, or poses for artists and photographers. Also used in a variety of industries to describe someone or something meant to be imitated or represented.

• The model wore the latest fashion from the designer’s new collection.
• The artist hired a model to pose for his latest sculpture.

A broad term that can refer to anyone or anything being discussed, described, or depicted. Often used in academic, artistic, and general contexts.

• The subject of the painting was a peaceful landscape.
• In the photograph, the subject's eyes tell a story.

Used specifically in art and photography to define the individual being depicted in a portrait. It focuses more on the role of the person in the context of the portrait rather than their action or job.

• The portrait subject was a well-known author whose face was instantly recognizable.
• The artist spent hours capturing the essence of the portrait subject.