nanny
/ˈnæni/
NOUN
1. A person employed to care for children
A person, usually a woman, employed to look after children and attend to their daily needs, often in the family's home.
1.1. Professional childcare provider
A person employed to care for children, supervise their activities, and provide attention and assistance in a private household.
Synonyms
- amah
- au pair
- ayah
- baby-sitter
- babysitter
- bonne
- dry nurse
- duenna
- governess
- nurse
- nursemaid
- nurser
- sitter
Examples
- She hired a nanny to look after her infant while she returned to work.
- The experienced nanny knew how to soothe a crying baby with gentle care.
- The family left their children in the capable hands of their trusted nanny.
Related Words
1.2. Grandmother
An informal or familiar term for a grandmother, the mother of someone's father or mother.
Synonyms
- grandmother
- grandma
- granny
- nana
Examples
- The children spent the weekend with their beloved nanny.
- Her nanny often told stories about the family's past.
Related Words
- maternal grandmother
- paternal grandmother
1.3. Godmother
A woman who sponsors a child at baptism or undertakes a special supportive role in the child's life.
Synonyms
- female godparent
- baptismal sponsor
Examples
- Her nanny attended the baptism as the child's godmother.
- The child received a special gift from her nanny on her birthday.
Related Words
- godfather
- godparent
- sponsor
1.4. Female goat
An adult female goat, particularly one kept for breeding or milk production.
Synonyms
- doe
- she-goat
- nanny goat
Examples
- The farmer separated the nanny from the young goats.
- The nanny produced milk for the farm.
Related Words
- billy goat
- buck
- kid
- goat
VERB
2. To work as a childcare provider
To work as a nanny by looking after children and attending to their needs.
2.1. Caring for children professionally
To look after children, supervise them, and provide childcare as an occupation or responsibility.
Synonyms
Examples
- She agreed to nanny for the family during the summer.
- He nannies for two young children while their parents are at work.
Related Words
- supervise
- watch
- attend to
- childmind
VERB
3. To treat someone with excessive care or indulgence
To treat someone as though they were a child by being excessively protective, indulgent, or attentive to their needs.
3.1. Coddling or overprotecting someone
To protect, indulge, or care for someone excessively, often preventing them from becoming independent.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- neglect
- toughen
- discipline
Examples
- Parents should avoid nanning their children by shielding them from every difficulty.
- The manager refused to nanny inexperienced employees through every minor decision.
- He felt that constantly nanning his adult children would prevent them from becoming independent.
Related Words
- overprotect
- humor
- mother
- fuss over