Phrase guide

nanny state

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A state whose government institutions are authoritative and over-paternalistic, interfering with and controlling people's lives.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: derogatory

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Of British origin.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 保姆國家 /保姆国家 (bǎo mǔ guó jiā) — over-paternalistic government
  • French: état nounou — over-paternalistic government
  • French: état paternaliste — over-paternalistic government
  • French: gouvernemaman — over-paternalistic government
  • German: Bevormundungsstaat — over-paternalistic government
  • German: Gouvernantenstaat — over-paternalistic government
  • Italian: Stato-balia — over-paternalistic government
  • Spanish: estado paternalista — over-paternalistic government
  • Swedish: förmyndarstat — over-paternalistic government