noun
Uncommon
nanny
NA-nee
Nanny (noun) means a person, usually a woman, employed to take care of children in their home. Example: “The family hired a live-in nanny for the twins.”
noun
1
A person, usually a woman, employed to take care of children in their home.
"The family hired a live-in nanny for the twins."
2
A female goat.
"The nanny grazed beside the billy in the paddock."
verb
1
To fuss over and overprotect someone, treating them like a child.
"Stop nannying me, I can manage on my own."
How to use nanny
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA paid child-carer, a female goat, or (as a verb) to overprotect someone.
Common mistake
"Nanny state" is a political criticism describing government seen as overly controlling.
Common pairings
nanny state
live-in nanny
nanny goat
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Word forms
- Plural
- nannies
- Third person singular
- nannies
- Past tense
- nannied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The family hired a live-in _____ for the twins.
Etymology
From "nan" (grandmother, nursemaid) plus -y, likely tracing back to an old, imitative baby-talk root for grandmother found across many languages.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for nanny
See all rhymes for nanny →Frequently asked questions
What does “nanny” mean?
The word “nanny” means a person, usually a woman, employed to take care of children in their home. In plain terms, a paid child-carer, a female goat, or (as a verb) to overprotect someone.
How do you pronounce “nanny”?
“Nanny” is pronounced NA-nee (/ˈnæni/ in IPA).
How do you use “nanny” in a sentence?
Here is “nanny” used in a sentence: “The family hired a live-in nanny for the twins.”
What part of speech is “nanny”?
Depending on how it is used, “nanny” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “nanny” a common word?
“Nanny” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “nanny” have?
“Nanny” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person, usually a woman, employed to take care of children in their home.
What is the difference between a nanny and a babysitter?
A nanny is a person, usually a woman, employed to take care of children in their home on an ongoing, often live-in or regular basis, while a babysitter typically provides more occasional, short-term childcare. Nannies generally have a more structured, long-term role within a household compared to the casual nature of babysitting.
What does nanny mean when used as a verb?
As a verb, "nanny" means to fuss over and overprotect someone, treating them like a child, as in "stop nannying me." This figurative usage often carries a slightly negative tone, suggesting excessive or unwelcome control.
Why is nanny sometimes used to describe a goat?
"Nanny" is also the term for a female goat, a usage unrelated to childcare. This sense is common in farming and rural contexts, distinguishing female goats from male goats, which are called billies.
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