noun / verb
chaperon
SHAP-uh-rohn/ˈʃæpəˌroʊn/
A person who accompanies others to supervise them, or the act of doing so.
The adult chaperon supervises the teenagers dancing nearby.
Etymology
A hood became an image of protection: the accompanying adult figuratively “covered” a socially vulnerable young person. The earlier role of accompanying a young unmarried woman underlies today's broader supervisory sense.
More examples
- Each group needs an adult chaperon.
- She chaperoned the school dance last Friday.
- The chaperons checked that everyone boarded the bus.
Forms
chaperon · chaperons · chaperoned · chaperoning
Similar words
- escort
- An escort accompanies someone; a chaperon specifically provides supervision.