# defensive

> English word · Adjective · IPA /dɪˈfɛn.sɪv/ · frequency rank #3,747

## Definitions
1. Intended for defence; protective.
2. Intended to deter attack.
3. Performed so as to minimise risk.
4. Displaying an inordinate sensitivity to criticism or intrusion; oversensitive; thin-skinned.
5. Of a bowling or fielding tactic designed to prevent the other side from scoring runs; of a batting tactic designed to prevent being out.
6. Pertaining to defense, as opposed to attack.
7. In a state or posture of defense.

## Etymology
From Middle French défensif. Morphologically defense + -ive.

## Easily confused with
- **defensively** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defensive-vs-defensively)
- **defense** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defense-vs-defensive)
- **defective** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defective-vs-defensive)
- **defensible** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defensible-vs-defensive)

## Common misspellings (13)
`ddefensive`, `deefnsive`, `defenisve`, `defennsive`, `defensiev`, `defensivve`, `defenssive`, `defensvie`, `defesnive`, `deffensive`, `defnesive`, `dfeensive`, `edfensive`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/defensive