Pamper

/ˈpæmpər/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To treat with excessive kindness or indulgence; to spoil.

She loves to pamper herself with spa treatments on the weekends.

To give in to the desires and wishes of someone or something.

The parents tended to pamper their child, giving him everything he asked for.

To mollycoddle; to care for someone in a way that suggests they are weak or delicate.

He was so pampered by his grandmother that he never learned to be independent.

Etymology

Middle English pamper, probably from the dialect (Northern England) pamper, derived from the word pamper in an older sense of 'to handle' or 'to handle with care'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

pampered pets

Pets that are treated with excessive care and luxury.

pampered lifestyle

A way of living that involves excessive comfort and luxury.

to pamper oneself

To treat oneself to special care or indulgence.

Related Words

coddle

To treat someone with excessive indulgence.

spoil

To harm the character of someone by excessive indulgence.

Slang Meanings

To give oneself a treat or indulgence.

After a long week, I decided to pamper myself with a spa day.

To excessively pamper someone, often implying they are spoiled.

He's so pampered that he can't even make himself breakfast.