Meaning & use

babysitter

noun·Everyday

A person, often a teenager or young adult, who is paid to take care of children while their parents are away.

See it in a sentence

We hired a babysitter so we could enjoy a night out for our anniversary.

The babysitter read the children a story before putting them to bed.

A note on using this word

Babysitter usually implies short-term, occasional care, unlike nanny, which typically refers to regular, often live-in, childcare.

Words with a similar meaning

childmindersitter

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Make it your own

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