What does nurserymaid mean?
A nurserymaid is a woman employed to care for young children, especially in a nursery or private household. In older usage, the position also involved teaching children, managing their clothes, and helping maintain the nursery, so the word can suggest a combination of childcare and early education. Today, nurserymaid is chiefly a historical or literary term and is more common in British English than in American English. Its modern equivalents depend on the setting: nanny, babysitter, childminder, or childcare worker may be appropriate in general conversation, while nursery nurse refers to a professionally qualified nurse specializing in infant and child care. The word remains useful because it preserves the social history of domestic service, childhood care, and household employment.
nounA woman employed to care for young children, especially in a nursery or private household. Historically, the role also included instructing children and maintaining their clothing and surroundings.
- A woman employed to care for young children in a nursery or household.
- Historically, a woman employed to care for and sometimes instruct children in a private household.
"A nurserymaid looked after the children while their mother was away."
"The family advertised for a nurserymaid to live with them and care for their two young children."
"In the novel, the nurserymaid keeps the nursery tidy and helps the children with their lessons."
The standard plural is formed by adding -s.
"Several nurserymaids worked in the large household."
Once a common household job title, nurserymaid now carries a distinctly historical sound, evoking an era when childcare and early education were often combined in one role.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nurserymaid come from?
The compound joins nursery, from Old French nuerie and ultimately Latin nutricia, meaning “nurture,” with maid, from Old English mægden, meaning “maiden” or “young woman.” The two elements developed into a single occupational term for a woman responsible for caring for children. Maid itself is related to forms in several Germanic languages, including German Magd and Old Norse mey, while maiden continues the Old English word from the same root.
Related word forms
How nurserymaid is actually used
The term is chiefly British in modern use and sounds old-fashioned. It is still used in historical and literary contexts, while contemporary forms such as nanny, babysitter, or childcare worker are more common in everyday speech.
Easily confused with nurserymaid
A nursery nurse is a qualified nurse who cares for infants and young children, whereas a nurserymaid is traditionally a childcare worker without a nursing qualification.
A governess historically taught children in a household, while a nurserymaid primarily cared for young children.