Cosset
/ˈkɒsɪt/
verbC2
Definition
Cosset means to treat someone with a lot of care and kindness, giving them comfort and protection. Sometimes, it suggests giving too much care, like protecting someone so much that they might not learn to be independent.
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See It in Action
To care for and protect someone in a very gentle way
- •She cosseted her sick child all day, making sure he had everything he needed.
- •The old dog was cosseted by its owner with soft blankets and special food.
- •He was cosseted by his family, who never let him do hard work.
To pamper or spoil someone by giving them too much attention and protection
- •The young prince was cosseted so much that he never learned to take care of himself.
- •Parents sometimes cosset their children too much, which can make them less independent.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'cosset' like 'care' (A1 word), but with extra softness and protection—almost like wrapping someone in a soft blanket all the time
- ✓Picture a small lamb being gently held and fed by a farmer, safe and warm without any danger
- ✓It's the feeling when a parent spoils a child by always doing everything for them to keep them safe and happy
- ✓Sounds like 'cosset' → imagine a cozy, soft 'cosy set' of blankets that keep you very safe and comfortable
- ✓Think of stories where a prince or princess is always protected and never faces problems on their own
- ✓NOT like 'ignore' (no care), 'cosset' means giving too much care and attention
- ✓NOT like 'help' (which can be simple), 'cosset' is more about pampering and protecting carefully
- ✓NOT like 'love' (which is broad), 'cosset' focuses on gentle, careful protection and attention
Try Other Words
- •Pamper: to give someone too much attention and comfort (Use when focusing on spoiling someone)
- •Spoil: to give too much and cause someone to be less independent (Use when the care causes problems)
- •Cherish: to love and care deeply (Use when the feeling is more about love than protection)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix; base word from older English)
- •Etymology: From Old English 'cosset' meaning a young lamb or to treat like a lamb
- •Historical development: Originally meant to keep a lamb safe and warm; over time, it came to mean treating anyone very gently and protectively
- •Modern usage: Used mainly in formal or literary English to describe gentle, sometimes too much, care and protection
Reflect & Connect
•Can too much cosseting be harmful? When does caring become cosseting?
•How do different cultures show care and protection without cosseting?
Fill in the blanks
1.Parents who cosset their children often ___ them from learning important life skills.
2.She cosseted her grandmother by ___ her meals and making sure she rested.
3.Unlike simple care, cosseting usually means giving ___ protection and attention.
4.The pet was cosseted with ___ blankets and special toys to keep it comfortable.
5.To cosset someone means to treat them with ___ kindness and gentleness, sometimes too much.
6.When a person is cosseted, they may find it hard to ___ on their own.
7.Cosseting is different from helping because it often involves ___ the person from difficulties.