What does armoured mean?
Armoured describes something — most often a vehicle, ship, or military unit — that is fitted with protective plating designed to withstand attack. The term is the standard British spelling; American English writes it as "armored." Its literal use dominates military and security contexts: an armoured personnel carrier, an armoured division, or a heavily armoured bank van all rely on hardened shells for protection. Beyond hardware, the word has a well-established figurative sense, describing a person who is emotionally or psychologically hardened against criticism, rejection, or pain — someone might be described as armoured after years of public scrutiny. Derived from the Latin root behind "arm," it connects modern warfare vocabulary to ancient notions of protective gear, making it a precise and evocative word for both physical defence and emotional resilience.
Fitted with protective plating or defensive material.
"The army deployed armoured vehicles to escort the aid convoy."
Standard British spelling; US English uses "armored."
(Figurative) Hardened against attack, criticism, or emotional harm.
"She had become armoured to rejection after years of auditions."
The word traces back to the Latin armatura — the equipment of a gladiator — so every modern armoured vehicle carries a name first given to men who fought in Roman arenas.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of armoured
Armoured derives from "armour," which entered Middle English from Old French armure, itself from Latin armatura, meaning equipment or defensive gear, from arma (arms). The adjectival form developed as English speakers needed to describe troops and vehicles fitted with such protection, becoming especially common with the rise of mechanised warfare in the twentieth century. It shares its root with words such as "armament," "armada," and "armature." The spelling with -ou- reflects British convention, while American English simplified it to -o-.
Related word forms
How armoured is actually used
"Armoured" is the standard spelling in British English; American English uses "armored." It is chiefly an attributive adjective (an armoured truck) but can also be predicative. The figurative sense, describing emotional defensiveness, is common in journalism and psychology writing.
Easily confused with armoured
"Armored" is simply the American spelling of the same word, while "armoured" is the standard British spelling.