sheltered

American  

[shel-terd] / ˈʃɛl tərd /

adjective

1. protected or shielded from storms, missiles, etc., by a wall, roof, barrier, or the like.

2. protected from the troubles, annoyances, sordidness, etc., encountered in competitive situations.

   a sheltered life.

3. (of a business or industry) enjoying noncompetitive conditions, as because of a protective tariff.

4. of or relating to employment or housing, especially for persons with disabilities, in a noncompetitive, supervised environment.

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sheltered British  

/ ˈʃɛltəd /

adjective

1. protected from wind or weather

   a sheltered garden

2. protected from outside influences

   a sheltered upbringing

3. (of buildings) specially designed to provide a safe environment for the elderly, handicapped, or disabled See also sheltered housing

   sheltered workshops for the blind

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Other Word Forms

• self-sheltered adjective
• unsheltered adjective
• well-sheltered adjective

Etymology

Origin of sheltered

First recorded in 1585–95; shelter + -ed ²

Example Sentences

A group of young people sheltered under a thatched hut by the side of the road, absorbed in a game of poker.

From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026

Still others sheltered in mountain resorts or lined up rides on private planes to get out.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

This weather setup has driven persistent south-easterly winds driving moisture - and rainfall - into areas like southern England and eastern Scotland, leaving some spots further west sheltered from the worst of the wet weather.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

They can’t be so sheltered that they don’t hear the outrage from people who look just like their biggest fans.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

In a pleasant place, open yet sheltered by overhanging boughs, the hollow bole of a dead tree lay on the ground.

From "Abel's Island" by William Steig

Related Words

• protected
• shady