coddle
Coddle (verb) means to treat someone with excessive care, protection, or indulgence. Example: “His parents coddled him well into adulthood.”
How to use coddle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo spoil someone with too much care, or to cook something gently in barely-simmering water.
Don't confuse with "cuddle" (to hold affectionately) — coddle is about overprotecting, not embracing.
Word forms
coddled past tense, coddles plural, coddles singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His parents _____ him well into adulthood.
Etymology
Probably from "caudle," an old word for a warm, comforting drink given to invalids — the sense of gentle care carried over into both the pampering and cooking meanings.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “coddle” mean?
The word “coddle” means to treat someone with excessive care, protection, or indulgence. In plain terms, to spoil someone with too much care, or to cook something gently in barely-simmering water.
How do you pronounce “coddle”?
“Coddle” is pronounced KOD-uhl (/ˈkɑ.dəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “coddle” in a sentence?
Here is “coddle” used in a sentence: “His parents coddled him well into adulthood.”
What is another word for “coddle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “coddle” include pamper, posset and spoil.
What part of speech is “coddle”?
“Coddle” is a verb.
How many meanings does “coddle” have?
“Coddle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to treat someone with excessive care, protection, or indulgence.