chaperone

chaperone — noun

1. During earlier centuries, a mature female companion who went with an unmarried y

1.nounB2
Definition

During earlier centuries, a mature female companion who went with an unmarried younger woman to dances and social gatherings, keeping watch over her to protect her reputation and uphold social norms.

Example

In nineteenth-century London, a wealthy young woman never attended a ball without a chaperone.

historical context: social events in the past

Greta's aunt agreed to serve as her chaperone for the summer party season.

Common collocations
  • act as a chaperone
  • without a chaperone
  • serve as a chaperone
Synonyms
  • duenna

    archaic term for an older woman acting as chaperone in Spanish/Portuguese cultures

  • governess

    focuses on education and upbringing, not social accompaniment

Usage Note

This sense is chiefly historical. In modern use, sense 3 (YOUTH SUPERVISOR) or sense 4 (CHILD PERFORMER SUPERVISOR) is more common.

Common Mistakes

My mother was a chaperone at my office party.
My mother was a chaperone at my school dance.
The historical sense refers to young unmarried women in social settings, not work events.

2. a nurse or assistant present during a medical examination to protect the patient

2.nounC1
Definition

a nurse or assistant present during a medical examination to protect the patient's dignity and to witness the procedure; also, a police officer assigned to escort a crime victim while in public.

Example

Dr. Patel asked a female nurse to act as a chaperone during the examination.

medical setting: chaperone required for intimate exams

The clinic policy states that a chaperone must be present for any intimate procedure.

Common collocations
  • act as a chaperone
  • provide a chaperone
  • nurse chaperone
Synonyms
  • witness

    broader term not specific to medical or legal settings

  • attendant

    less specific — can refer to any assistant, not just a protective witness

Usage Note

The medical sense is becoming standard practice: many clinics require a chaperone for gynecological, urological, or other intimate examinations regardless of the doctor's or patient's gender.

3. a grown-up that goes along with young people on school trips, at dances, or on o

3.nounB1
Definition

a grown-up that goes along with young people on school trips, at dances, or on other outings to keep them safe and well-behaved.

Example

Three parents volunteered as chaperones for the school trip to the science museum.

countable: volunteer chaperone at school event

Students at the school dance must arrive with a chaperone or bring a signed note.

Common collocations
  • act as a chaperone
  • volunteer as a chaperone
  • parent chaperone
  • school chaperone
Synonyms
  • supervisor

    more general term, not specific to accompanying young people socially

  • escort

    implies guiding rather than supervising behaviour

Common Mistakes

The teacher chaperone the students to the zoo.
The teacher chaperoned the students to the zoo.
When used as a noun, the correct verb form is needed: 'serve as a chaperone' or use the verb 'to chaperone'.

4. an adult paid to look after child performers on a film set or during rehearsals,

4.nounB2
Definition

an adult paid to look after child performers on a film set or during rehearsals, ensuring they rest, study, and remain safe throughout the working day.

Example

A chaperone must be on set whenever a child actor under sixteen is working.

employment requirement: legal obligation for minors

Hana worked as a chaperone for the young performers on the new television series.

Common collocations
  • hire a chaperone
  • child-actor chaperone
  • work as a chaperone
  • on-set chaperone
Synonyms
  • guardian

    usually refers to a parent or legal custodian, not a hired professional

  • child supervisor

    wider term used in non-entertainment contexts

  • set guardian

    industry term specific to film and TV production

Usage Note

In many jurisdictions, a chaperone for child performers is legally required. The chaperone's duties often include overseeing tutoring hours, meal breaks, and ensuring that working hours comply with child labour regulations.

chaperone — verb

Word family

  • chaperoned
    adjectiveB2
  • chaperoning
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/3

A chaperone (noun/3) is specifically an adult who accompanies young people to social events or trips in order to supervise behaviour — the focus is on presence and moral guidance, not on authority or instruction. A supervisor is broader: anyone who oversees work, study, or activities, but without the connotation of accompanying to a specific event. For example, a camp supervisor runs the whole programme, while a chaperone simply goes along for the ride. An escort focuses on guiding someone from one place to another, often for safety (e.g., a police escort), without any implication of supervising conduct. A guardian is a legal custodian with long-term responsibility for a child's welfare, whereas a chaperone's role is temporary and situational. In practice: a parent might chaperone the school prom on Friday night; the school principal supervises the students year-round; a police officer escorts the team bus through traffic; and a legal guardian makes decisions about the child's education.

chaperone ↗supervisor ↗escort ↗guardian ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • parent chaperone
  • teacher chaperone
  • volunteer chaperone
  • school chaperone
  • camp chaperone

Adverbs

  • properly chaperone
  • carefully chaperone

Phrases

  • act as a chaperone
  • serve as a chaperone
  • volunteer as a chaperone
  • provide a chaperone

Prepositions

  • chaperone for (an event)
  • chaperone on (a trip)

Etymology

FrenchLate LatinEnglish

The word chaperone comes from French chaperon, meaning 'hood' or 'small cape'. In medieval France, a chaperon was a hooded cloak worn by both men and women. By the 1700s, the word shifted from the garment to the person: an older woman who was said to 'hood' or 'cover' a younger woman's reputation by accompanying her in public. The spelling chaperon is still used in French and occasionally in English, but chaperone (with a final e) became the standard English spelling in the 19th century, influenced by feminine forms such as heroine.