candy striper

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Word: Candy Striper

Definition: A "candy striper" is a noun that refers to a volunteer worker in a hospital, often a young person, who helps with various tasks and provides support to patients and staff. They typically wear a uniform that has red and white stripes, which is how they got the name "candy striper."

Usage Instructions:

• When to use: You can use "candy striper" when talking about hospital volunteers, especially in the context of their role and contributions.
• Who it refers to: The term usually refers to teenagers or young adults who donate their time to help in hospitals.

Example Sentence:

• "During the summer, I worked as a candy striper at the local hospital, assisting nurses and talking to patients."

Advanced Usage:

• In some contexts, the term can be used metaphorically to describe anyone who volunteers in a supportive role in a community or organization, though this is less common.

Word Variants:

• Candy stripers (plural): Refers to multiple volunteer workers.
• Candy striping (verb): While not commonly used as a verb, it could informally refer to the act of volunteering in a hospital.

Different Meanings:

• The term primarily refers to volunteer hospital workers, but it can also evoke imagery of the striped uniforms, which can be used in discussions about hospital attire or volunteer programs.

Synonyms:

• Volunteer: A general term for anyone who offers their time for free to help others.
• Helper: Someone who assists or aids, though this is more general and not specific to hospitals.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "candy striper." However, you might hear phrases like "lend a hand" when discussing the act of helping others, which is similar to what candy stripers do.

Summary:

A "candy striper" is a young volunteer who helps in a hospital, usually recognized by their striped uniforms.

Academic

Noun

1. a volunteer worker in a hospital