Smothered

/ˈsmʌð.ərd/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To suffocate or stifle by preventing breathing, often by covering the mouth and nose.

The smoke from the fire smothered him, making it difficult to breathe.

To cover something completely, often used in the context of food being coated or covered with a sauce or topping.

The pancakes were smothered in syrup, making them incredibly sweet.

To overwhelm or suppress something, such as an emotion or expression.

She smothered her laughter during the serious meeting.

adjective

Describing something that is completely covered or overwhelmed.

The smothered garden was hidden under a thick layer of snow.

Middle English smotheren, from Old English smorian, perhaps of imitative origin.

smothered love

Excessive affection that may overwhelm the recipient.

smothered in attention

Receiving too much attention, often to the point of discomfort.

smother

To suffocate or envelop something completely.

suffocate

To die or cause to die from lack of air.

To be excessively overwhelmed by something.

He was smothered by the amount of work he had to do.

To overwhelm someone with too much care or attention.

She smothered her friends with too many questions.