nanny

noun

nan·​ny ˈna-nē 

variants or less commonly nannie

plural nannies

: a child's nurse or caregiver

Synonyms of nanny

• nurse
• sitter

Examples of nanny in a Sentence

When I was growing up, I had a nanny.

wrote a memoir recounting her days as a nanny for the rich and often indiscreet

Recent Examples on the Web

Her parents divorced early and shared custody across film and TV sets in Colorado and California and beyond, with Dakota and a nanny and a tutor and her half brother running between them. — Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026

The country’s parents need comprehensive reform, not this kind of regressive, zero-sum nanny-statism. — Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026

Finally, acting on a tip that Jon and Yarberry had split, a new investigator on the case traveled to Costa Rica in 2025 to interview the former nanny, obtaining information that led to Jon’s arrest. — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026

The expense, which is similar to the cost of a nanny, may seem excessive, but stretching the family budget is worth the mental load relief for some parents. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably of baby-talk origin

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing nanny

• nanny cam
• nanny goat

Rhymes for nanny

• canny
• cranny
• fanny
• grannie
• granny
• nannie
• tympani
• uncanny

Kids Definition

nanny

noun

nan·​ny ˈnan-ē 

: a woman who is paid to care for a young child usually in the child's home