Definition

1. Noun:
   • A young foreigner who lives with a family in return for doing light housework: An "au pair" is typically a young person, often a woman, from a foreign country who lives with a host family. In exchange for room, board, a stipend, and sometimes the opportunity to study the local language, the au pair provides childcare and helps with light household duties.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The family hired an au pair from France to help look after their children.
  • She worked as an au pair in Italy for a year to improve her language skills.

Advanced Usage

• "To work/live as an au pair": This phrase describes the specific arrangement of being an au pair.
  • After graduating, she decided to work as an au pair in Madrid.
• "Au pair agency": A company that matches potential au pairs with host families.
  • They found their au pair through a reputable international agency.

Variants and Related Words

• Au pair (adjective form, rare): Sometimes used attributively to describe the arrangement.
  • They have an au pair arrangement with a student from Germany.
• Nanny: A professional childcare provider, which is a related but distinct occupation, typically not involving a cultural exchange or language study component.

Synonyms

• Live-in babysitter: Emphasizes the childcare and residential aspect.
• Mother's helper: A less formal term for someone who assists with children and light chores.

Related Phrases

• "Au pair stay/experience": Refers to the period or overall experience of being an au pair.
  • Her au pair experience was both challenging and rewarding.
• "Host family": The family with whom the au pair lives and works.
  • A good relationship with the host family is crucial for a successful au pair stay.

Noun

1. a young foreigner who lives with a family in return for doing light housework