What does mollycoddle mean?
To mollycoddle someone is to give them more attention, comfort, protection, or indulgence than is appropriate, especially when this prevents them from developing independence. The word is particularly associated with excessive pampering of children, though it can also describe an organisation or group that shields its members from difficult decisions or responsibilities. It is chiefly British and informal, and its tone is usually mildly critical: the behaviour described is not merely caring but excessive. A parent who mollycoddles a child may do everything for them, from dressing and feeding them to intervening whenever they face a minor problem. In adult contexts, the word can imply undue protection, such as a management team that mollycoddles a senior employee instead of expecting accountability. The related adjective and noun forms are less common, while the verb is widely understood in British English.
verbTo pamper or overindulge someone, especially a child, by attending excessively to their needs or wants. It can also mean to handle someone with excessive care or concern.
- To pamper or overindulge someone, especially a child.
- To protect or handle someone with excessive care, sometimes to the point of hindering their independence.
"Her parents mollycoddled him so much that he struggled to become independent."
"The older brother mollycoddled his little sister whenever she became nervous."
"The report criticised the department for mollycoddling senior officials and avoiding difficult decisions."
Mollycoddle describes the kind of care that can leave someone unable to stand on their own two feet.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of mollycoddle
Mollycoddle is a 19th-century English word, and its precise formation is uncertain. It is commonly associated with the name Molly and with the older verb coddle, meaning to pamper or cherish tenderly, while the insertion of the name-like element may have served to make the word playful or emphatic. No secure group of ancient cognates can be established for this modern formation.
Related word forms
How mollycoddle is actually used
The word is chiefly British and informal, and usually carries a mildly critical or disapproving tone. It often implies that the person being pampered is treated as incapable or undeserving of responsibility.
Easily confused with mollycoddle
Coddle is the standard, more general term for pampering someone, while mollycoddle often conveys excessive or infantilising attention.
Molly is a common female given name and, by itself, has no connection to excessive pampering.