defenceless
Defenceless (adjective) means Without protection; unable to defend oneself. Example: “The villagers were left defenceless after the soldiers withdrew.”
How to use defenceless
Learner’s notesBritish spelling; American English writes "defenseless."
Word forms
more defenceless comparative, most defenceless superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The villagers were left _____ after the soldiers withdrew.
Etymology
From defence + the suffix -less ("without").
Rhymes for defenceless
Frequently asked questions
What does “defenceless” mean?
The word “defenceless” means without protection; unable to defend oneself.
How do you pronounce “defenceless”?
“Defenceless” is pronounced dih-FEHNS-luhs (/dɪˈfɛnsləs/ in IPA).
How do you use “defenceless” in a sentence?
Here is “defenceless” used in a sentence: “The villagers were left defenceless after the soldiers withdrew.”
What part of speech is “defenceless”?
“Defenceless” is an adjective.