au pair

American  

[oh pair] / oʊ ˈpɛər /

noun

au pairs plural

1. a person, usually a young foreign visitor, employed to take care of children, do housework, etc., in exchange for room and board.

   We sent the children to the beach with the au pair.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or employed under such an arrangement.

   an au pair girl.

au pair British  

/ əʊ ˈpɛə, o pɛr /

noun

1. 1. a young foreigner, usually a girl, who undertakes housework in exchange for board and lodging, esp in order to learn the language

   2. ( as modifier )

      an au pair girl

2. a young person who lives temporarily with a family abroad in exchange for a reciprocal arrangement with his or her own family

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verb

1. (intr) to work as an au pair

adverb

1. as an au pair

   she worked au pair in Greece

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• au pairs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of au pair

First recorded in 1965–70; from French: literally, “equal, even,” referring to the equal exchange of work for room and board; au contraction of à le “at the” + pair “equal” (noun); cf. à la, pair ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

In Portland, they had a gardener, a housecleaner and an au pair.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

The second level features “a second primary suite, au pair suite with kitchenette and private entry, and additional en suites,” according to the listing.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 14, 2025

After growing up in Tidworth, Wiltshire, she travelled to India at the age of 18 where she worked as an au pair to a military family until she was 21.

From BBC • Sep. 21, 2025

Said believes she’s the reason why, as several — including a French woman who once worked as her au pair — have been questioned about her.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 13, 2023

Branwell must have been up all night trying to think of ways to stop her from getting another job as an au pair.

From "Silent To The Bone" by E.L. Konigsburg

Related Words

• caregiver
• governess
• housekeeper