# babysitting

/ˈbeɪbiˌsɪtɪŋ/ (US) · /bˈeɪbɪsˌɪtɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/babysitting
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

the job of looking after children for a short time while their parents are away.

For teachers: the act of providing temporary childcare, typically on an informal or short-term basis while parents are absent.

## Examples

- She earns extra money by babysitting for her neighbours.
- The couple struggled to find a reliable person for babysitting on Friday nights.
- While professional childcare requires formal certification, babysitting is often the first form of paid employment for teenagers seeking to develop responsibility and financial independence.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I have many babysittings this week" but "I have a lot of babysitting to do this week" — Babysitting is uncountable when referring to the activity; use 'jobs' or 'sessions' if you need to count individual instances.

## Usage notes

- Typically functions as an uncountable activity noun; when referring to a specific instance, 'a babysitting job' is preferred.

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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.