ayah Definition
a nursemaid or nanny, typically from South Asia or Southeast Asia.
Using ayah: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "ayah" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The ayah took care of the children while their parents were at work.
Example
She hired an ayah to help with her newborn baby.
Example
The family's ayah was from Sri Lanka.
ayah Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for ayah
Phrases with ayah
Example
Many families in colonial India employed ayahs and amahs to take care of their children and household chores.
a type of small bungalow or cottage, often used as a residence for ayahs and other domestic workers
Example
The British colonial government built many ayah houses throughout India to provide housing for domestic workers.
a type of rocking chair that was popular in colonial India, often used by ayahs to soothe babies
Example
The ayah rocked the baby to sleep in the ayah rock.
Origins of ayah
from Hindi-Urdu 'āyā', meaning 'nursemaid'
Summary: ayah in Brief
An 'ayah' [ah-yuh] is a nursemaid or nanny, typically from South Asia or Southeast Asia. It is commonly used in historical or colonial contexts, such as 'Many families in colonial India employed ayahs and amahs to take care of their children and household chores.' Other phrases like 'ayah house' and 'ayah rock' refer to specific objects or places associated with ayahs.
