protective

/prəˈtɛktɪv/

/prəˈtɛktɪv/

Anything that's protective safeguards or watches out for something (or someone) else. Protective gear keeps you safe from physical injury, and a protective parent cares for and worries about their children.

When you work with dangerous chemicals or toxic substances, it makes sense to wear protective masks or gloves, and a new bicycle rider is smart to wear a protective helmet. The first time you bring your new puppy to the dog park, you're likely to be protective of him, keeping him safe from bigger, older dogs. The Latin root of protective is protegere, "to cover in front, or to protect."

Definitions of protective

1. adjective

   intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind
   “a protective covering”

   “the use of protective masks and equipment”

   “protective coatings”

   “animals with protective coloring”

   “protective tariffs”

   synonyms:

   defensive

   intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack

   preventative, preventive

   tending to prevent or hinder

   cautionary, prophylactic

   warding off

   antifertility, contraceptive, prophylactic

   capable of preventing conception or impregnation

   custodial, tutelar, tutelary

   providing protective supervision; watching over or safeguarding

   evasive

   avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger especially enemy fire

   overprotective

   overly protective

   preservative

   tending or having the power to preserve

   protecting

   shielding (or designed to shield) against harm or discomfort

   restrictive

   (of tariff) protective of national interests by restricting imports

   safety-related

   providing or ensuring safety

   antonyms:

   unprotective

   not affording protection
2. adjective

   showing care
   “a protective mother”

   synonyms:

   tender

   given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
3. adjective

   (usually followed by `of') solicitously caring or mindful
   “protective of his reputation”

   synonyms:

   careful

   exercising caution or showing care or attention