intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind; "a protective covering"; "the use of protective masks and equipment"; "protective coatings"; "kept the drunken sailor in protective custody"; "animals with protective coloring"; "protective tariffs"
If someone is protective towards you, they look after you and show a strong desire to keep you safe. He is very protective towards his mother + protectively pro·tec·tive·ly Simon drove me to the airport and protectively told me to look after myself. + protectiveness pro·tec·tive·ness What she felt now was protectiveness towards her brothers, her sister and her new baby
Protective means designed or intended to protect something or someone from harm. Protective gloves reduce the absorption of chemicals through the skin Protective measures are necessary if the city's monuments are to be preserved