chaperone

or chap·er·on

[ shap-uh-rohn ]

noun

1. a person, usually a married or older woman, who, for propriety, accompanies a young unmarried woman in public or who attends a party of young unmarried men and women.

   Synonyms: escort

2. any adult present in order to maintain order or propriety at an activity of young people, as at a school dance.
3. a round headdress of stuffed cloth with wide cloth streamers that fall from the crown or are draped around it, worn in the 15th century.

verb (used with object)

1. to attend or accompany as chaperone.

   Synonyms: escort

verb (used without object)

1. to act as chaperone.

Other Words From

• chap·er·on·age [shap, -, uh, -roh-nij], noun
• chaper·onless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chaperone¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Middle French: “hood, cowl,” equivalent to chape cape ¹ + -eron noun suffix; figurative sense from French (18th century)

Example Sentences

Celebrities have been outspoken about their treatment recently, and the show has put in place heightened welfare measures including chaperones in rehearsals.

From BBC

A dress code means they must be fully covered and strict rules have banned them from travelling without a male chaperone or looking a man in the eye unless they're related by blood or marriage.

From BBC

Osinoff said a chaperone was present during the pelvic exam, and “there was no indication that the exam was more uncomfortable than usual,” nor was any injury alleged.

From Los Angeles Times

He said the one he had attended was facilitated by chaperones in Abercrombie polos and flip-flops, carrying silver platters of alcohol, poppers and lube.

From BBC

A recovered video file showed Johnson adjusting the camera inside another bathroom at a junior high school Bible camp, where he worked as a chaperone.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• matron