Nanny

¹ American  

[nan-ee] / ˈnæn i /

noun

1. a female given name.

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nanny ² American  

[nan-ee] / ˈnæn i /

noun

plural

nannies

1. a person, usually with special training, employed to care for children in a household.

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nanny British  

/ ˈnænɪ /

noun

1. a nurse or nursemaid for children

2. 1. any person or thing regarded as treating people like children, esp by being patronizing or overprotective

   2. ( as modifier )

      the nanny state

3. a child's word for grandmother

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verb

1. (intr) to nurse or look after someone else's children

2. (tr) to be overprotective towards

Etymology

Origin of nanny

1785–95; nursery word; compare Welsh nain grandmother, Greek nánna aunt, Russian nyánya nursemaid

Example Sentences

The next day, a woman Hazeltine had never met arrived at the hospital with a power of attorney letter and a nanny.

From The Wall Street Journal

I was on the top, my sister was there, my other sister was in between my parents... and then the tailor slept also there and then the nanny.

From BBC

The couple reduced the hours for the nanny who took care of their two young children, stopped retirement contributions and got rid of their second car.

From The Wall Street Journal

The children are shown in the company of nannies or in daycare-like settings eating meals, playing or reciting homework assignments.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Her granddaughter is so upset, she just wants her nanny back."

From BBC

Related Words

• au pair
• governess