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

Around back, an arrow, painted garnet against an otherwise beige facade, points toward a red door sheltered by a small, domed awning.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

But, as she told Ritz, when she joined Jimmy Jam and Lewis in Minneapolis, she was coming out of a very sheltered life.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

Over the course of American history, women have been expected to do whatever work is necessary to keep their families fed, clothed and sheltered in sanitary homes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

We spoke to him from the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, where he is now being sheltered by a charity and trying to find a way to get back to Uganda.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

She was pretty sure her sheltered status was at an end.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull

Related Words

• protected
• shady