au pair

noun \ ˈō-ˈper \

Updated on: 30 Mar 2018

Definition of au pair

plural au pairs play \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

See au pair defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of au pair from the Web

For $40 an hour, kids can get a personal au pair to keep them company while parents relax at the grown-ups' table.

— helin jung, Cosmopolitan, "6 Delicious Cocktails You Have to Try When You're in West Hollywood," 2 Sep. 2016
But the question that has haunted Ms. Krim and her husband, Kevin, as well as innumerable other New York parents who must rely on others for child care, from babysitters to au pairs, is this: Why did Ms. Ortega do it?

— james c. mckinley jr., New York Times, "A Question Hangs Over a Trial: Why Did a Nanny Kill 2 Children in Her Care?," 11 Feb. 2018
Cultural exchange categories include scholars, interns, teachers, seasonal workers, au pairs and professional trainees.

— cnn library, CNN, "US Visa Fast Facts," 12 Dec. 2017
Instead, Alonso was told she should have applied for the type of visa normally used by foreign au pairs or nannies.

— shane dixon kavanaugh, OregonLive.com, "In PDX Customs snafu, jailed Spanish student: 'They treated me like a criminal'," 18 Oct. 2017
Robin Morgan also first went to Paris as a teenager, hired as an au pair for an American family.

— melena ryzik, New York Times, "Celebrating Global Feminism With Gloria Steinem and Robin Morgan," 5 Oct. 2017
Biel and her partners opened the eatery with all-natural rainbow dishes, craft cocktails and an au pair on site in March 2016 as a way for kids and adults to enjoy dining out.

— ana calderone, PEOPLE.com, "Jessica Biel and Partners at Au Fudge Restaurant Are Being Sued For Allegedly Stealing $430,000 in Tips from Employees," 14 Sep. 2017
Areas that could be cut include the au pair program, summer workers and camp counselors.

— colby itkowitz, Washington Post, "Families, camps and businesses rally to protect J-1 visa program," 10 Sep. 2017
Losing the au pair program would dramatically impact our family and our earning potential.

— WSJ, "Cultural Exchange Visas Give a High Return," 8 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'au pair.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of au pair

French, on even terms

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First Known Use: 1934

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AU PAIR Defined for English Language Learners

au pair

noun

Definition of au pair for English Language Learners

: a young person (usually a young woman) from a foreign country who lives with a family and helps to care for children and do housework in return for the opportunity to learn the family's language