sitter

noun

sit·​ter ˈsi-tər 

1

: one that sits: such as

a

: a person who sits for a portrait or a bust

Usually commissioned by the sitters themselves, some images straddle the line between individual portrait and genre scene …

—Naomi Rosenblum

b

: a person who takes care of someone or something in the place of a parent, owner, etc.

pet sitters

The next time you hire a sitter [=babysitter], remind your daughter what happened the last time and let her know that you are only a phone call away.

—John Rosemond

see also house sitter

2

a

: an easy target

a sitter for enemy submarines

b

sports : an easy scoring or fielding chance

… missed an absolute sitter in the 44th minute to keep the game scoreless.

—Jamie Goldberg

Synonyms of sitter

• nanny
• nurse

Examples of sitter in a Sentence

They hired a sitter so they could go out.

we'll be going to the movie if we can get a sitter for the kids

Recent Examples on the Web

Working with a large format camera that dictated the pace of each shoot, Verbeeck introduced herself to potential sitters with open calls to schools, clubs, youth groups and local organizers. — Zoe Whitfield, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026

The focus shifts away from the sitter’s individuality and toward the richness and refinement of his attire, which undoubtedly conveys his status and pride. — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026

Children in the playground at my school would shout ‘Rosenthal’ when anyone missed a sitter. — Amitai Winehouse, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Last summer, Gardner’s friend and cat sitter Joanie began giving them sound baths while Gardner was away. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sitter

• bed-sitter
• house sitter

Rhymes for sitter

• bitter
• critter
• fitter
• fritter
• glitter
• hitter
• jitter
• knitter
• litter
• quitter
• ritter
• splitter

Kids Definition

sitter

noun

sit·​ter ˈsit-ər 

: one that sits

especially : a person who babysits

Biographical Definition

Sitter

biographical name

Sit·​ter ˈsi-tər 

Willem de 1872–1934 Dutch astronomer