adj
protective
pruh-TEHK-tihv
adj
1
Designed or intended to protect.
"Workers must wear protective gloves and goggles."
2
Feeling or showing a strong wish to guard someone from harm.
"He's fiercely protective of his younger sister."
"New parents often become intensely protective."
How to Use Protective
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGuarding against harm — either describing gear meant to shield you, or a person's instinct to shield someone they care about.
Common pairings
protective gear
protective of
overly protective
Word Forms
more protective comparative, protectives plural, most protective superlative
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Workers must wear _____ gloves and goggles.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin prōtēctīvus, built on the root of protect.