au pair

noun \ ˈō-ˈper \

|Updated on: 7 Jun 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

The home can be configured as one six-bedroom property with five full baths and a powder room, or as a four-bedroom property with four full baths and a powder room, along with a two-bedroom, one-bath in-law or au pair suite.

— shannon rooney, Philly.com, "On the market: A Merion Station estate with room to grow," 23 May 2018
The luxury of hiring a night nurse, an au pair, a trainer, and housekeeper means a woman gets proper rest and relaxation, giving her the opportunity to concentrate on herself while her newborn is well cared for.

— refinery29.com, "New Moms & Night Nurses: Why Is No One Talking About The Privilege Seen In Tully?," 9 May 2018
The third floor is used for guests and the family’s au pair.

— carol riordan, courant.com, "Property of the week: 262 Kenyon Street, Hartford," 16 Nov. 2017
This flexible space could be used as a fifth bedroom, guest suite, media room, quarters, au pair suite or gym.

— lisa zapalac, Houston Chronicle, "New West University Place home offers open plan, flexible design," 15 Apr. 2018
But while the group in La Tazza included an artist and an au pair from China, the majority had links to science.

— science news staff, Science | AAAS, "A final dash across the United States: Updates from the 2018 March for Science," 14 Apr. 2018
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

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

in the meaning defined above

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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