caregiver

American  

[kair-giv-er] / ˈkɛərˌgɪv ər /

noun

1. a person who cares for someone who is sick or disabled.

2. an adult who cares for an infant or child.

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caregiver British  

/ ˈkɛəˌɡɪvə /

noun

1. Also called: carer.  a person who has accepted responsibility for looking after a vulnerable neighbour or relative

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Etymology

Origin of caregiver

First recorded in 1980–85; care + giver ( def. )

Explanation

Someone who takes care of a very young, elderly, or ill person is called a caregiver. If you make sure your ailing friend eats every day and is relatively comfortable, you are her caregiver. Being a caregiver is sometimes a paying job — a home health aid and a nurse in a hospital both work as caregivers. When a family member is ill, you may become a temporary caregiver, bringing hot soup and warm blankets. In Britain, this person is called a carer. Both words come from the Old English carian, "to feel concern" and also "to grieve."

Example Sentences

“I wrote late at night because when I was working, I was also a primary caregiver for my mother.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

"Children are sponges and they learn best from face-to-face time with a key caregiver - a parent, a teacher."

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

In Missouri, for example, state regulations require that there is one caregiver for every four babies in a child care center.

From Salon • Mar. 20, 2026

The findings have important implications for pediatric medicine, public health policy, and caregiver education.

From Science Daily • Mar. 15, 2026

Though the cubs grow to become larger than their caregiver, and far more dangerous, they never give their mother trouble and she never loses her placid behaviour or her sense of authority over her litter.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Related Words

• au pair
• caretaker
• custodian
• nanny
• nurse