protective
- 01 B1 Intermediate
adj.designed to keep someone or something safe from harm or damage.
adj.serving or intended to provide protection against injury, damage, or environmental factors.
Simple“You must wear protective clothing like gloves and a mask when using these chemicals.”
In context“The workers were required to wear specialized protective gear, including reinforced boots and high-visibility vests, while operating the heavy machinery on the construction site.”
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.having a strong desire to keep someone you love safe from any trouble.
adj.exhibiting a strong desire to shield a person or object from harm, criticism, or difficulty.
Simple“She is very protective of her younger brother and always looks out for him.”
In context“The mother bear became extremely protective of her cubs when she sensed the hikers approaching their territory from downwind.”
SynonymsAntonymsneglectfulindifferent - 03 C2 Proficiency
n.a slang or polite word for a condom.
n.a euphemistic or informal term for a condom.
Simple“He made sure to buy a pack of protectives at the pharmacy.”
In context“The health clinic distributed free protectives as part of their community outreach program to encourage safe practices among young adults.”
Teacher's tipThis noun sense is quite specific and often considered a euphemism; learners should use the standard term 'condom' in most medical or social contexts.
Synonymscondomprophylactic
Usage protective equipment · protective glasses · protective measures
“Certain infections require that nurses and doctors don bulky protective wear – an unhappy task in extreme hot weather.”
“The second dose increases the protective immune response to measles and decreases outbreaks of all three diseases overall.”
Borrowed from Medieval Latin prōtēctīvus. By surface analysis, protect + ive.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.