What does armored mean?
Armored describes something that has been given a protective covering of armor — typically steel plates or other hard material — designed to withstand attack, gunfire, or impact. It appears most often in military and security contexts: armored vehicles, armored divisions, and armored cars that transport valuables. Beyond the literal sense, the word carries a well-established figurative use, describing people who seem emotionally or psychologically impenetrable, as when a public figure is said to be armored against criticism. The word derives from "armor," itself rooted in the Latin armatura, meaning equipment for war. Its connotations suggest strength, resilience, and deliberate protection, though in figurative use it can imply defensiveness or an unwillingness to be vulnerable. Whether applied to tanks or to human hearts, armored conveys a barrier deliberately built against harm.
adjectiveCovered or protected with a defensive layer of metal or other hard material, especially to resist attack; by extension, made resistant to damage, criticism, or emotional harm.
- (of a vehicle, building, etc.) covered or fitted with protective armor plating.
- (figurative) hardened against attack, criticism, or emotional injury.
"The armored convoy crossed the border under cover of darkness."
"An armored truck delivered the cash to the bank before dawn."
"Years of harsh criticism left him emotionally armored against any feedback."
A rhino's hide and a bank vault share the same description: both are armored.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of armored
Armored comes from armor, which entered Middle English from Old French armeure, ultimately derived from the Latin armatura, meaning "equipment" or "tools of war," from arma (weapons). The adjectival form developed alongside military technology, first describing knights' plate protection and later mechanized warfare. Related words sharing the same Latin root include armament, armada, and disarm.
Related word forms
How armored is actually used
Primarily used attributively before a noun (an armored vehicle), though it can follow linking verbs. The figurative sense — describing people as emotionally or psychologically 'armored' — is common in journalism and psychology writing. In British English, spell it "armoured."
Easily confused with armored
"Armoured" is simply the British English spelling of the same word, while "armored" is the American spelling — they are not different words in meaning.
"Armed" means equipped with weapons, whereas "armored" means physically protected by armor plating — a tank can be armed and armored, but a bulletproof vest is only armored.