au pair

noun

ˈō-ˈper 

plural au pairs ˈō-ˈperz 

: a usually young foreign person who cares for children and does domestic work for a family in return for room and board and the opportunity to learn the family's language

Examples of au pair in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This includes — but is not limited to — professors, scholars, research assistants, students, teachers, au pairs and camp counselors. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Her next book, The Country Life (1997), follows a Londoner who leaves behind city life to work as an au pair for a family in a tiny village in Sussex. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026

The Trial of Louise Woodward will dramatize the story of Woodward, an 18-year-old British au pair who in 1997 was accused of shaking to death a baby who was left in her care by her host family in Massachusetts. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026

But the space could easily be transformed into a media room, a fitness area or an au pair/in-law suite. — Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, on even terms

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for au pair

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare