babysit
B1Informal, colloquial; widely accepted in everyday speech and writing. Generally avoided in formal or technical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To care for a child or children while their parents are temporarily away.
To watch over, supervise, or attend to something or someone in a temporary capacity, often implying responsibility and a lack of the usual caretaker's presence. Can apply to pets, houses, or inanimate objects (e.g., a project).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb is a back-formation from the noun 'babysitter'. It has a flexible argument structure (can be transitive or intransitive). The activity implies a degree of temporary, paid or unpaid, responsibility.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and meaning are nearly identical. The verb forms 'babysat' (past) and 'babysitting' (present participle) are standard in both. The noun 'babysitter' is universally used.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. Slightly more likely to imply informal, casual, or teenage employment in AmE, but this is a weak distinction.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties, with no significant disparity.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] babysits [Object (child)].[Subject] babysits for [Indirect Object (parents)].[Subject] babysits.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(No common idioms with the verb 'babysit' itself. The noun form has 'drop the baby', but unrelated.)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically: 'I have to babysit the new client during the conference.'
Academic
Very rare; 'supervise' or 'monitor' are preferred.
Everyday
The primary context. Used constantly in domestic and social planning.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I often babysit for my neighbours when they go out.
- Can you mind the kids on Friday? (UK alternative)
- She babysat the twins all afternoon.
American English
- I need to find someone to babysit the kids on Saturday.
- He babysits for extra cash.
- We babysat our grandson overnight.
adverb
British English
- (No adverb form derived from 'babysit').
American English
- (No adverb form derived from 'babysit').
adjective
British English
- (Not standard; 'babysitting' is used attributively: 'babysitting duties', 'a babysitting job').
American English
- (Not standard; 'babysitting' is used attributively: 'babysitting rates', 'babysitting service').
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My sister babysits me.
- Do you want to babysit tonight?
- I used to babysit for a family down the street every weekend.
- She is busy babysitting her little brother.
- While they were on holiday, we were effectively babysitting their antique collection.
- The manager asked me to babysit the new intern for the day.
- The software is so unstable that the IT department has to babysit the installation process continuously.
- Her role evolved from managing the project to merely babysitting it until its inevitable cancellation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SITTER who watches a BABY. Combine them: BABY-SIT -> BABYSIT.
Conceptual Metaphor
TEMPORARY GUARDIANSHIP IS SITTING (on the situation). RESPONSIBILITY IS A BURDEN (one 'sits with' it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'сидеть с ребёнком' as the primary structure; English uses the child as the direct object: 'babysit the child', not 'sit with the child'.
- Do not confuse with 'sit' (садиться). The compound is a single lexical unit.
- The Russian 'нянчить' is more specific to nursing/care, while 'babysit' is broader temporary supervision.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect past tense: 'babysitted' (correct: 'babysat').
- Incorrect spelling: 'baby sit' or 'baby-sit' (the solid form 'babysit' is now standard).
- Using it in overly formal contexts where 'supervise' or 'care for' is better.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the MOST common and natural use of 'babysit'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is used for caring for children of any age, from infants to older children, during a temporary absence of parents.
The correct past tense is 'babysat'. 'Babysitted' is incorrect.
Yes, informally and metaphorically. You can 'babysit' a house, a pet, or a fragile project, meaning to watch over it temporarily.
'Babysit' is general, often casual or occasional. 'Childmind' (UK) often implies a more regular, professional, or licensed childcare service, usually in the minder's own home.