OVERPROTECT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does overprotect mean? 

• OVERPROTECT (verb)
  The verb OVERPROTECT has 2 senses:

1. care for like a mother

2. protect excessively

  Familiarity information: OVERPROTECT used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OVERPROTECT (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they overprotect    ... he / she / it overprotects   
Past simple: overprotected   
Past participle: overprotected   
-ing form: overprotecting   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Care for like a mother

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

fuss; mother; overprotect

Context example:

She fusses over her husband

Hypernyms (to "overprotect" is one way to...):

care; give care (provide care for)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Sense 2

Meaning:

Protect excessively

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Context example:

Don't overprotect your son--he is an adult now!

Hypernyms (to "overprotect" is one way to...):

protect (shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

overprotection (excessive protection)