adj C1 Advanced Uncommon

battered

BA-tuhd

Battered (adj) means Damaged or worn from repeated use, impact, or abuse. Example: “He carried an old, battered suitcase everywhere he travelled.”

adj

Damaged or worn from repeated use, impact, or abuse.

"He carried an old, battered suitcase everywhere he travelled."

Having suffered repeated physical abuse, especially in a domestic setting.

"The shelter offers support to battered women and their children."

Coated in batter before frying.

"We ordered battered cod and chips."

How to use battered

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWorn out and damaged, repeatedly abused, or coated in batter and fried — context makes clear which.

Common pairings

battered wife battered old car battered sausage

Word forms

more battered comparative, most battered superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He carried an old, _____ suitcase everywhere he travelled.

Etymology

From batter + -ed.

Rhymes for battered

entered tapered covered ordered altered powered layered watered revered angered severed catered

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Frequently asked questions

What does “battered” mean?

The word “battered” means damaged or worn from repeated use, impact, or abuse. In plain terms, worn out and damaged, repeatedly abused, or coated in batter and fried — context makes clear which.

How do you pronounce “battered”?

“Battered” is pronounced BA-tuhd (/ˈbætəɹd/ in IPA).

How do you use “battered” in a sentence?

Here is “battered” used in a sentence: “He carried an old, battered suitcase everywhere he travelled.”

What part of speech is “battered”?

“Battered” is an adjective.

Is “battered” a common word?

“Battered” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

How many meanings does “battered” have?

“Battered” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: damaged or worn from repeated use, impact, or abuse.