coddle

[ kod-l ]

/ ˈkɒd l /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR coddle ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), cod·dled, cod·dling.

to treat tenderly; nurse or tend indulgently; pamper: to coddle children when they're sick.

to cook (eggs, fruit, etc.) in water that is just below the boiling point; cook gently.

Content related to coddle

What does 👸 - Princess Emoji mean?Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.

Words related to coddle

humor, pet, cosset, favor, caress, mollycoddle, spoil, baby, nurse, cotton, cook, poach, brew, steam, simmer

Words nearby coddle

cod-act, cod-liver oil, cod., coda, codder, coddle, code, code blue, code book, code dating, code flag

Origin of coddle

1590–1600; variant of caudle, v. use of caudle

SYNONYMS FOR coddle

1 indulge, baby, humor, spoil.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR coddle ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM coddle

cod·dler, nounun·cod·dled, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for coddle

Higher education should challenge students, not coddle them by indulging their pre-formed biases and preferences.
Pulling the Plug on English Departments|David Masciotra|July 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They think they will irreparably damage them, so instead of raising expectations, they coddle them.
Roland Martin: America, You Can’t Handle the Truth!|Roland S. Martin|January 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And regulators who coddle Wall Street have to worry more about becoming props in an Elizabeth Warren YouTube video gone viral.
Rising Left in the Democratic Party Killed Larry Summers' Fed Chair Chances|Peter Beinart|September 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
What about that stern discipline that was to be put in force here—no rocking, no getting up at night to coddle a weeping infant?
Twelve Men|Theodore Dreiser

You coddle her enough on the subject of health, so at least let her enjoy herself in other ways.
A Pair of Schoolgirls|Angela Brazil
She wants to coddle me, the dear girl—always telling me to take care of myself; and so on.
A Veldt Vendetta|Bertram Mitford
No, really: you know it's against the rules of the club to coddle women in any way.
The Philanderer|George Bernard Shaw
Summer may coddle and flatter, but cold weather is no sentimentalist.
A Rambler's lease|Bradford Torrey

British Dictionary definitions for coddle

coddle

/ (ˈkɒdəl) /

verb (tr)

to treat with indulgence

to cook (something, esp eggs) in water just below the boiling point

noun

Irish dialect stew made from ham and bacon scraps

Derived forms of coddle

coddler, noun

Word Origin for coddle

C16: of obscure origin; perhaps related to caudle

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012