nanny

noun

nan·​ny ˈna-nē How to pronounce nanny (audio)
variants or less commonly nannie
plural nannies
Synonyms of nannynext
: a child's nurse or caregiver

Synonyms of nanny

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Examples of nanny in a Sentence

When I was growing up, I had a nanny. wrote a memoir recounting her days as a nanny for the rich and often indiscreet
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The prosecutor argued the beatings basically never stopped, claiming footage showed nannies beating one child, then turning their violence toward any of the other toddlers who wept while watching. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 Vanessa offers to be their child’s nanny and to take care of everything so that Serena can focus on her job, which makes Serena feel guilty. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026 Jude’s modern twist on Octave Mirbeau’s novel follows Gianina (Ana Dumitrașcu), a Romanian migrant working as a live-in housekeeper and nanny for a wealthy family in present-day Bordeaux. — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 Was this apartment an office, a generously sized place for a nanny, a guest apartment, part of a duplex plan that didn’t shake out? — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nanny

Word History

Etymology

probably of baby-talk origin

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nanny was in 1785

Phrases Containing nanny

Rhymes for nanny

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Browse Nearby Words

nannoplankton
nanny
nannyberry
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Cite this Entry

“Nanny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nanny. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

nanny

noun
nan·​ny ˈnan-ē How to pronounce nanny (audio)
: a woman who is paid to care for a young child usually in the child's home
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