DEFENSIVE


Meaning of DEFENSIVE in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ dɪfensɪv ]

1.

You use defensive to describe things that are intended to protect someone or something.

The Government hastily organized defensive measures against the raids...

ADJ : usu ADJ n

2.

Someone who is defensive is behaving in a way that shows they feel unsure or threatened.

Like their children, parents are often defensive about their private lives.

ADJ

• de‧fen‧sive‧ly

‘Oh, I know, I know,’ said Kate, defensively.

ADV

• de‧fen‧sive‧ness

He felt a certain defensiveness about his position.

N-UNCOUNT

3.

If someone is on the defensive , they are trying to protect themselves or their interests because they feel unsure or threatened.

Accusations are likely to put the other person on the defensive...

PHRASE : usu v-link PHR , PHR after v

4.

In sports, defensive play is play that is intended to prevent your opponent from scoring goals or points against you.

I’d always played a defensive game, waiting for my opponent to make a mistake.

≠ attacking

ADJ : usu ADJ n

• de‧fen‧sive‧ly

Mexico did not play defensively.

ADV : ADV after v

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Английский словарь Коллинз COBUILD для изучающих язык на продвинутом уровне.