comfort Hear it!

comfort Definition

com·fort (kum′fərt)

transitive verb

  1. to soothe in distress or sorrow; ease the misery or grief of; bring consolation or hope to
  2. to give a sense of ease to
  3. Law to help; aid

Etymology: ME comforten < OFr conforter, to comfort < LL (esp. in Vulg. of O.T.) confortare, to strengthen much < L com-, intens. + fortis, strong: see fort

noun

  1. aid; encouragement: now only in aid and comfort
  2. relief from distress, grief, etc.; consolation
  3. a person or thing that comforts
  4. a state of ease and quiet enjoyment, free from worry, pain, or trouble
  5. anything that makes life easy or comfortable
  6. ☆ a quilted bed covering; comforter

comfort Related Forms

com′·fort·ing adjective com′·fort·less adjective

comfort Synonyms

comfort

n.

  1. A state of ease

    contentment, ease, well-being, rest, quiet, relaxation, repose, alleviation, relief, assuagement, poise, prosperity, opulence, cheer, snugness, abundance, sufficiency, gratification, luxury, warmth, plenty, creature comforts, amenities, satisfaction, satisfaction of bodily wants, coziness, pleasure, happiness, restfulness, peacefulness, cheerfulness, complacency, bed of roses*; see also convenience 2, ease 1, enjoyment 2, satisfaction 2.

    Antonyms discomfort, uneasiness, distress.

  2. Consolation

    solace, compassion, sympathy; see pity 1, sympathy 2.

  3. Anything that brings comfort

    help, support, succor; see aid 1, encouragement 2.

comfort Synonyms

comfort

v.

console, soothe, solace, condole, commiserate, grieve with, compassionate, sympathize, share with, calm, pacify, compose, tranquilize, reassure, hearten, cheer, gladden, inspirit, revive, reanimate, bolster up, put at ease, make comfortable, relieve, alleviate, assuage, allay, mitigate, quiet one's fears, help one in need, lighten one's burden, grant respite, disburden, succor, sustain, support, uphold, encourage, invigorate, enhearten, give one a lift, renew, refresh, revitalize, revivify, strengthen, salve, warm, ameliorate, lighten, soften, abate, remedy, release, restore, pat on the back, hold one's hand, sit by, put in a good humor; see also encourage 2, pity 1, sympathize.

Antonyms make uneasy, distress, afflict, discourage.

comfort suggests the lessening of misery or grief by cheering, calming, or inspiring with hope; console suggests less positive relief but implies a moderation of the sense of loss or disappointment to console someone on the death of a parent; solace suggests the relieving of melancholy, boredom, or loneliness I solaced myself with music; soothe implies the calming or allaying of pain, distress, or agitation to soothe a fretful child

comfort Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • combine: Students have been combining the comfort of city hotels with more challenging cultural activities.
  • enjoy: You will enjoy the modern comfort of the rooms which are decorated with delicate wood furnishings.
  • maximize: Further advice should include the culling of severely affected birds and special attention to the ventilation in order to maximize bird comfort.
  • offer: The officer was probably trying to offer comfort by suggesting that Herbert had had time for his final words.
  • sacrifice: They were cold, damp and infested, but most artists were prepared to sacrifice comfort for quantity.
  • afford: The use of a second monitor mounted from the same hub affords the same comfort to the assisting physician.

Preposition: in

warmth: Refurbished to provide individuality and comfort in the warmth of elegance.

Adjective modifier

  • thermal: To better understand why air temperature alone is not a valid indicator of thermal comfort, see the six basic factors.
  • added: Made from super-soft, 100 % cashmere, it offers a loose fit with an elasticated waist for added comfort.
  • optimum: Achieving the reference posture position and optimum workstation comfort has never been easier.
  • maximum: First Class The lie-flat sleeper seats in First Class on Boeing 777 aircraft are designed to give you maximum comfort in any position.
  • luxurious: Completely renovated in 2001, it is now a deluxe boutique property combining cutting edge design with luxurious comfort for the discerning traveler.
  • superior: Four Star - As three star plus bedrooms offering superior comfort and quality, with en suite bath, fitted overhead shower and WC.

Modifies a noun

  • zone: We were just in a really good zone, a good comfort zone that first part of the race.
  • blanket: Comfort blanket or weapon of war: what is Trident for?
  • cooling: The hotel goes from strength to strength with all bedrooms having comfort cooling installed in 2004.
  • eating: She would often gain even more as a result of comfort eating.

Noun used with modifier

  • creature: Most tourists visit peninsula Malaysia with the west coast offering more in the way of creature comforts.
  • passenger: Interior noise - the noise inside passenger vehicles has a great effect on the level of passenger comfort.
  • counselor: Trained volunteer counselors comfort, advise and protect children and young people who may feel they have nowhere else to turn.