housesit

American  

[hous-sit] / ˈhaʊsˌsɪt /

Or house-sit

verb (used without object)

housesat, housesitting

1. to take care of a house or residence while the owner or occupant is temporarily away, especially by living in it.

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Other Word Forms

• house sitter noun
• house-sitter noun

Etymology

Origin of housesit

1975–80; house + sit ¹, on the model of babysit

Example Sentences

José Múzquiz, a doctoral student in political science and international relations, has begun to housesit to eliminate housing costs, which had created such financial pressures he used food banks to have enough to eat.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 27, 2023

In 2018, Colin and Kai Frolich left San Francisco for Truckee to housesit for a friend.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2022

Approximately a month ago I hired a young man from a pet store I frequent to housesit for a day.

From Slate • Dec. 30, 2019

In addition to dog walking and pet sitting, Rover workers can housesit or do “drop in” visits with animals to feed them, let them out for a few minutes or administer medicine.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 22, 2019

As with any job, if you prove your merit in housesitting, it could lead to referrals or an invitation to housesit again.

From Washington Post • Aug. 29, 2019