chaperoning

Escorting for propriety

Chaperoning is accompanying someone to provide supervision or guidance.

Traditionally, a chaperone was an older woman who accompanied a young unmarried woman in public to ensure propriety.

Now the term usually means an adult supervising children or teenagers on outings: I'm chaperoning the field trip tomorrow.

The word can carry a slightly weary tone—implying obligation rather than choice.

social

propriety

Correctness of conduct

decorumFitting social conduct
etiquetteRules of polite conduct
reputationCollective opinion of someone

courtship · dating · suitor · matchmaker · Victorian · formal · tradition · respectability · virtue · honor

youth

babysitter

Hired child caretaker

nannyHired child caretaker
au pairForeign live-in childcare worker
school tripOrganized student outing

field trip · prom · dance · teenager · minor · student · parent volunteer · guardian · permission slip · headcount

mentorship

guide

Leader or instruction book

mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
adviseGive counsel to
coachOne who instructs

nurture · support · counsel · steer · direct · prepare · develop · foster · encourage · instruct

Categories

Victorian etiquettecalling hours, visiting cards, propriety, decorum, social graces
courtshipcourting, courtship, suitor, betrothal, wooing
School InvolvementPTA, PTO, parent-teacher conferences, volunteering, parent meetings
watching overguarding, protecting, monitoring, supervising, minding
guidingadvising, directing, guiding, instructing, leading
social supervisionparenting, babysitting, guardianship, foster care, daycare

Opposites

supervision and oversight

chaperoningneglecting

Failing to attend to

abandoning · ignoring · endangering · disregarding · turning a blind eye

social accompaniment

chaperoningabandoning

Leaving permanently behind

leaving alone · stranding · ditching · deserting · leaving behind

freedom and autonomy

chaperoningliberating

Setting free from constraint

freeing · emancipating · releasing · trusting · empowering

Family

chaperone, chaperon, chaperones, unchaperoned, chaperons, chaperoned, chaperonage

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G