English Dictionary

Definition of “comfort”

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comfort (ˈkʌmfətPronunciation for comfort) 

Definitions

noun

  1. a state of ease or well-being
  2. relief from affliction, grief, etc
  3. a person, thing, or event that brings solace or ease
  4. obsolete support
  5. (usually plural) something that affords physical ease and relaxation

verb (tr)

  1. to ease the pain of; soothe; cheer
  2. to bring physical ease to

Alternative Forms

ˈcomforting adjective ˈcomfortingly adverb ˈcomfortless adjective ˈcomfortlessly adverb ˈcomfortlessness noun

Word Origin

C13: from Old French confort,  from Late Latin confortāre  to strengthen very much, from Latin con-  (intensive) + fortis strong

Usage examples

  • Which he examined rather too closely for my comfort , by the way.
    Peter Robinson, AFTERMATH (2001)
  • Some riders find they can get so low at the front with tri-bars that they then need to tip the nose of the saddle down for comfort.
    Cycling Weekly (2004)
  • The caddie didn't want Lyle to take on the shot, believing that the lip was too close for comfort.
    Irish Times (2002)
  • The accused sat on a long bench directly behind the purpose-built dock, deemed too cramped for comfort by court officials.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • Hands have been used since the beginning of time to bring comfort and ease illness.
    Lilian Verner-Bonds, THORSONS WAY OF - PALMISTRY (2002)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'C'

Related Terms

5 results

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