au pair

American  

[oh pair] / oʊ ˈpɛər /

noun

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

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); à la, pair ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Anna, who arrived in Germany as an au pair from Ukraine 15 years ago, now works in human resources at the joint venture.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 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

At the age of 18, she was employed as an au pair to a military family in India.

From BBC • May 1, 2025

That could include a housekeeper, live-in aide or au pair, he says.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 15, 2023

In exchange, the au pair was to help out with child care for up to forty five hours per week, five and one half days per week.

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

Related Words

• caregiver
• governess
• housekeeper