Word: Baby-sitter
Definition: A baby-sitter is a noun that refers to a person who is hired to take care of children when their parents are not at home.
Usage Instructions: - You use "baby-sitter" when talking about someone who looks after kids, usually in the family's house. - It is common to hire a baby-sitter for a few hours, often in the evening, so that parents can go out.
Example Sentence: - "We need to find a baby-sitter for Saturday night because we have a wedding to attend."
Advanced Usage: - Sometimes, "baby-sitter" can be used in a more informal way to describe someone who is overseeing or managing a situation, especially if it requires keeping things in order, but this is less common.
Word Variants: - Baby-sitting (verb): The act of caring for children (e.g., "I will be baby-sitting my neighbor's kids tonight."). - Baby-sat (past tense): The past form of baby-sit (e.g., "I baby-sat for my cousins last weekend.").
Different Meaning: - In a more figurative sense, "baby-sitter" can refer to someone who is responsible for guiding or overseeing a project or group, but this is more metaphorical and less common.
Synonyms: - Childcare provider - Nanny (though a nanny often has more responsibilities and may work full-time) - Caregiver (a broader term that can apply to various situations)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: - There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "baby-sitter," but you might hear phrases like "to sit for someone," which means to baby-sit for someone.
Final Notes: - When hiring a baby-sitter, it's important to ensure they have experience, are trustworthy, and can handle the responsibilities of looking after children.