au pair

UK: /əʊˈpɛə^r/ US: /ˈoʊpɛr/ ,(ō pâr′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

au pair /ˈoʊpɛr/  n. [countable]

1. a person, esp. a young foreign visitor in a country, employed to take care of children, do housework, etc., in exchange for room and board.

adj. [before a noun]

2. of, relating to, or employed under such an arrangement:
   an au pair helper.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

au pair  (ō pâr′), 

1. a person, usually a young foreign visitor, employed to take care of children, do housework, etc., in exchange for room and board:
   We sent the children to the beach with the au pair.
2. of, pertaining to, or employed under such an arrangement:
   an au pair girl.

• French, literally, equal, even (au contraction of à le at the + pair equal (noun, nominal); compare pair), referring to the equal exchange of work for room and board
• 1965–70

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

au pair / əʊ ˈpɛə o pɛr/ noun

1. a young foreign person who undertakes childcare or housework in exchange for board and lodging
2. (as modifier): an au pair girl

Etymology: 20th Century: from French: on an equal footing