Pampered

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. To enjoy indulgent care and luxury that might lead to reliance To be the recipient of excessive attention and affection that can cultivate dependence To be provided with special treatment and lavish experiences that enhance comfort and foster entitlement
2. Receiving excessive care or attention to the point of becoming dependent ; experiencing treatment that is exceptionally comfortable and indulgent
3. Being spoiled by someone who provides more care or affection than usual ; enjoying an environment of great luxury and ease

Etymology: "Pampered" is the past tense and past participle of "pamper," and the verb's original sense was literal and unflattering: to cram with food. It came into Middle English as "pamperen," borrowed from a Middle Dutch verb meaning the same thing, which was a frequentative form (a verb expressing repeated or intensive action) of an older verb meaning "to stuff." That older verb traces back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to swell," so the image behind the word is of something bulging with more than it can comfortably hold. Related words in neighbouring languages keep that gorging sense alive. West Flemish has "pamperen" meaning to cram with food or overindulge, and Middle Low German had "pampen," used of stuffing oneself. A Danish dialect form, "pampe," meant to boast or brag, which shows how readily the idea of overindulgence slid toward self-display.

Synonyms: spoiled, coddled, indulged

Antonyms: neglected, abused