chaperone

/ˌʃæpəˈroʊn/

/ˈʃæpərəʊn/

Other forms: chaperoned; chaperoning; chaperones

High school dances always have at least one chaperone to keep an eye on things. A chaperone is someone who looks after and supervises another person or a group of people.

Chaperone can also be spelled chaperon, without the e. It originally meant a woman whose duty was to accompany a younger woman and make sure she wasn't harmed and didn't get into trouble, especially when she was with a man. These days, chaperone is most often used to describe an adult who supervises a group of kids or teenagers. The Old English meaning was "protective hood or head covering," and today the word chaperone retains that "protective" quality.

Definitions of chaperone

1. noun

   one who accompanies and supervises a young woman or gatherings of young people
   synonyms: chaperon

   types:

   den mother

   a woman who supervises a den of Cub Scouts

   duenna

   a woman chaperon

   housemother

   a woman employed as a chaperon in a residence for young people

   type of:

   defender, guardian, protector, shielder

   a person who cares for persons or property
2. verb

   accompany as a chaperone
   synonyms: chaperon

   type of:

   escort

   accompany as an escort