pamper

[ pam-per ]

verb (used with object)

1. to treat or gratify with extreme or excessive indulgence, kindness, or care:

   to pamper a child; to pamper one's stomach.

   Synonyms: spoil, baby, coddle, humor

   Antonyms: discipline

2. Archaic. to overfeed, especially with very rich food; glut.

pamper

/ ˈpæmpə /

verb

1. to treat with affectionate and usually excessive indulgence; coddle; spoil
2. archaic.
   to feed to excess

Derived Forms

• ˈpamperer, noun

Other Words From

• pampered·ly adverb
• pampered·ness noun
• pamper·er noun
• over·pamper verb (used with object)
• self-pampered adjective
• self-pamper·ing adjective
• un·pampered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pamper¹

1350–1400; Middle English pamperen < Middle Dutch; compare Dutch dialect pamperen

Word History and Origins

Origin of pamper¹

C14: of Germanic origin; compare German dialect pampfen to gorge oneself

Example Sentences

When they compliment my nails or I compliment theirs — there is a sense that we get the experience of pampering ourselves and feeling connected to a larger sense of self.

From Salon

Many women readers in particular dismissed heterosexual marriage as an outdated institution that pampers men while turning women into unpaid servants.

From Seattle Times

But to the excited visitors in Pirna, who often dress in contemporaneous garb to match the vehicles they arrived in, the polished and pampered cars embody a local pride.

From New York Times

This is a man who has been pampered his entire life.

From Salon

It feeds a harmful narrative that their need for protection is make-believe, that they’re a whining, pampered generation we should ignore, or worse, allow others to target while we watch from the sidelines.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• coddle
• gratify
• indulge
• regale
• spoil
• tickle