pamper

verb

pam·​per ˈpam-pər 

pampered; pampering ˈpam-p(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to treat with extreme or excessive care and attention

pampered their guests

pamper a pet

b

: gratify, humor

… enabled him to pamper his wanderlust …

—New Yorker

2

archaic : to cram with rich food : glut

pamperer

ˈpam-pər-ər 

noun

Synonyms of pamper

• spoil
• indulge
• nurse

Choose the Right Synonym for pamper

indulge, pamper, humor, spoil, baby, mollycoddle mean to show undue favor to a person's desires and feelings.

indulge implies excessive compliance and weakness in gratifying another's or one's own desires.

indulged myself with food at the slightest excuse

pamper implies inordinate gratification of desire for luxury and comfort with consequent enervating effect.

pampered by the amenities of modern living

humor stresses a yielding to a person's moods or whims.

humored him by letting him tell the story

spoil stresses the injurious effects on character by indulging or pampering.

foolish parents spoil their children

baby suggests excessive care, attention, or solicitude.

babying students by grading too easily

mollycoddle suggests an excessive degree of care and attention to another's health or welfare.

refused to mollycoddle her malingering son

Examples of pamper in a Sentence

They really pamper their guests at that hotel.

She pampered herself with a day at the spa.

He was pampered all his life and doesn't know how to function in the real world.

Recent Examples on the Web

Those in need of a pampering moment should make their way to the spa, where a 23-meter infinity pool, sauna, and eucalyptus steam room await. —Liam Hess, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2025

Everyone wears socks and likely requires an annual upgrade, so why not pamper them with these best-in-class ones from Ralph Lauren? —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025

This is therapeutic rather than indulgent, restoration rather than pampering. —Natalie Preddie, Travel + Leisure, 24 Nov. 2025

Instead, many are finding comfort in smaller luxuries, like pampering their pets and spending their Sundays waiting in line for a Starbucks Bearista cup. —Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 12 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably of Dutch origin; akin to Dutch dialect pamperen to pamper

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for pamper

• camper
• damper
• hamper
• scamper
• stamper
• tamper

Kids Definition

pamper

verb

pam·​per ˈpam-pər 

pampered; pampering -p(ə-)riŋ 

: to treat with too much care and attention