# babysit

/ˈbeɪbisɪt/ (US) · /bˈeɪbɪsˌɪt/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/babysit
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

to look after children while their parents are away for a short time. You usually do this at the children's home and get paid for it.

For teachers: to care for children in the temporary absence of their parents. Often used intransitively or with a direct object representing the children or the family.

## Examples

- I am going to babysit my neighbor's kids tonight.
- She earned extra money during college by choosing to babysit for several families in her local neighborhood.
- While the primary responsibility is to ensure the children's safety, many parents expect the person they hire to babysit to also assist with light housework or bedtime routines.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I will babysit the children of my sister" but "I will babysit for my sister" — When the object is the parent rather than the child, the preposition 'for' is required.

## Usage notes

- The verb is both transitive and intransitive.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.