au pair

/ˈoʊ ˌpɛər/

/eɪˈju pɛə/

Other forms: au pairs

If you get a job as an au pair, you'll be working for a family while you live in their house, most likely babysitting and cleaning.

Most au pairs work for families in foreign countries, gaining the experience of living abroad while earning a little money taking care of the family's kids and tidying up their house. The job itself originated in Europe, and the term au pair is French, literally meaning "on a par," or "equal to." Ideally, an au pair does feel equal to the other family members, a real part of the family rather than just an employee.

Definitions of au pair

1. noun

   a young foreigner who lives with a family in return for doing light housework
   types:

   au pair girl

   a foreign girl serving as an au pair

   type of:

   alien, foreigner, noncitizen, outlander

   a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country