Meaning & Definition of word "Smothered"

Smothered

/ˈsmʌð.ərd/

verb:

  • 1. To suffocate or stifle by preventing breathing, often by covering the mouth and nose.
    • Example: The smoke from the fire smothered him, making it difficult to breathe.
  • 2. To cover something completely, often used in the context of food being coated or covered with a sauce or topping.
    • Example: The pancakes were smothered in syrup, making them incredibly sweet.
  • 3. To overwhelm or suppress something, such as an emotion or expression.
    • Example: She smothered her laughter during the serious meeting.

adjective:

  • 1. Describing something that is completely covered or overwhelmed.
    • Example: The smothered garden was hidden under a thick layer of snow.

Etymology

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

Common Phrases and Expressions

smothered love:

Excessive affection that may overwhelm the recipient.

smothered in attention:

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

Related Words

smother:

To suffocate or envelop something completely.

suffocate:

To die or cause to die from lack of air.

Slang Meanings of smothered

Meaning: To be excessively overwhelmed by something.

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

Meaning: To overwhelm someone with too much care or attention.

Example Sentence: She smothered her friends with too many questions.