sitter

/ˈsɪtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [sˈɪtɚ] /ˈsɪtər/ (ame, ipa) · [sˈɪtɚ] /ˈsi-tər/ (ame, mw)

sitter — noun

  • sittersingular
  • sittersplural

1. someone hired to watch children in their home for a short time while the parents

1.名詞B1
釋義

someone hired to watch children in their home for a short time while the parents are out

例句

Beatriz called a sitter so she could attend the wedding.

hire/call a sitter for an evening out

The sitter texted Niran when the children were finally asleep.

同義詞
  • babysitter

    clearer and more common in everyday speech, especially for younger children

  • childminder

    British term that often suggests more regular paid care

  • nanny

    usually longer-term and more involved than a sitter

文法句型

hire/book/call a sitter

leave the children with a sitter

用法筆記

Usually means short-term childcare in the family's home, often for an evening out. For regular daily care, 'nanny' or British 'childminder' is more specific.

常見錯誤

❌The sitter teaches my son every morning at school.
✅The sitter watches my son at home in the evening.
💡a sitter gives short-term home care, not regular school teaching.

2. a person who stays still while an artist paints, draws, or photographs them

2.名詞B2
釋義

a person who stays still while an artist paints, draws, or photographs them

例句

Abigail sat quietly as the sitter during the afternoon portrait class.

art class / person posing for a portrait

The sitter held the same pose while the art teacher walked around the room.

同義詞
  • model

    broader term that also covers fashion, advertising, and product photography

  • subject

    focuses on the person in the picture, not the act of posing

  • poseur

    rare and more literary than ordinary modern usage

文法句型

choose [person] as the sitter

[artist]'s sitter

用法筆記

Used mainly in art or photography. Unlike a general 'model', a sitter is specifically the person being painted, drawn, or photographed for a portrait or study.

常見錯誤

❌The painter asked the sitter to carry the lamps.
✅The painter asked the sitter to pose by the window.
💡here 'sitter' means the person being painted or photographed, not a studio helper.

3. in football or cricket, a chance so simple that a player is expected to score or

3.名詞C1
釋義

in football or cricket, a chance so simple that a player is expected to score or catch it, but does not

例句

Tariro kicked the sitter over the bar from two metres out.

miss a sitter in front of goal

Hyun dropped a sitter in the outfield, and the batter stayed in.

同義詞
  • tap-in

    football-specific and narrower; usually a shot from very close range

  • open-goal chance

    football phrase for an especially easy scoring chance

  • dolly

    chiefly cricket; means a very easy catch

反義詞
  • half-chance

    a difficult chance that still might produce a goal

文法句型

miss a sitter

drop a sitter

用法筆記

Mostly heard in sports reporting, especially football. It suggests the chance looked easier than average, so calling something a sitter criticizes the player for wasting it.

常見錯誤

❌The coach called the striker a sitter.
✅The coach called the missed chance a sitter.
💡in this sense, 'sitter' names the easy chance, not the player.