Looking for the meaning of the word DEFENSIVE in English for both noun and verb forms from the Oxford Dictionary? Below, you can explore all possible meanings and definitions of DEFENSIVE with sentence examples. You can also use the “AUDIO PRONUNCIATION” track to check the correct pronunciation in British English.
Word: Defensive
Speech Type: Adjective
Etymology:
late Middle English: from Old French défensif, -ive, from medieval Latin defensivus, from Latin defens- ‘warded off’, from the verb defendere (see defend)
Audio Pronunciation:
Phonetic Spelling:
dɪˈfɛnsɪv
Dialects: British English
Definition:
used or intended to defend or protect
Short Definition:used or intended to defend or protect
Examples:- defensive barriers
Definition:
very anxious to challenge or avoid criticism
Short Definition:very anxious to challenge or avoid criticism
Examples:- he was very defensive about that side of his life
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