Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense comforts, present participle comforting, past tense, past participle comforted
1. uncountable noun [oft in/forN]
If you are doing something incomfort, you are physically relaxed and contented, and are not feeling any pain or other unpleasant sensations.
This will enable the audience to sit in comfort while watching the shows.
The shoe has padding around the collar, heel and tongue for added comfort.
2. uncountable noun [oft inNOUN]
Comfort is a style of life in which you have enough money to have everything you need.
Thanks to the success of her books, she lives in comfort.
3. uncountable noun
Comfort is what you feel when worries or unhappiness stop.
He welcomed the truce, but pointed out it was of little comfort to families spendingChristmas without a loved one. [+ to]
He will be able to take some comfort from inflation figures due on Friday.
He found comfort in Eva's blind faith in him.
4. See also cold comfort
5. countable noun [usually singular]
If you refer to a person, thing, or idea as a comfort, you mean that it helps you to stop worrying or makes you feel less unhappy.
It's a comfort talking to you.
Being able to afford a drink would be a comfort in these tough times.
Synonyms: ease, luxury, wellbeing, opulence More Synonyms of comfort
6. verb
If you comfort someone, you make them feel less worried, unhappy, or upset, for example by saying kind things to them.
Ned put his arm around her, trying to comfort her. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: console, encourage, ease, cheer More Synonyms of comfort
7. countable noun [usually plural]
Comforts are things which make your life easier and more pleasant, such as electrical devices you have in your home.
She enjoys the material comforts this jet-set lifestyle has to offer.
Electricity provides us with warmth and light and all our modern home comforts.
I do like my comforts.
8. See also creature comforts
9.
See too close etc for comfort
More Synonyms of comfort
comfort in British English
(ˈkʌmfət)
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(transitive)
6.
to ease the pain of; soothe; cheer
7.
to bring physical ease to
Derived forms
comforting (ˈcomforting)
adjective
comfortingly (ˈcomfortingly)
adverb
comfortless (ˈcomfortless)
adjective
comfortlessly (ˈcomfortlessly)
adverb
comfortlessness (ˈcomfortlessness)
noun
Word origin
C13: from Old French confort, from Late Latin confortāre to strengthen very much, from Latin con- (intensive) + fortis strong
comfort in American English
(ˈkʌmfərt)
verb transitive
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
noun
4.
aid; encouragement
now only in aid and comfort
5.
relief from distress, grief, etc.; consolation
6.
a person or thing that comforts
7.
a state of ease and quiet enjoyment, free from worry, pain, or trouble
8.
anything that makes life easy or comfortable
9. US
a quilted bed covering; comforter
SYNONYMY NOTE: comfort suggests the lessening of misery or grief by cheering, calming, or inspiring withhope; , console1 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 [he solaced himself with music]; relieve suggests the mitigation, often temporary, of misery or discomfort so as to make itbearable [to relieve the poor]; soothe implies the calming or allaying of pain or distress [to soothe a fretful child]
OPPOSITES: afflict, distress
Derived forms
comforting (ˈcomforting)
adjective
comfortless (ˈcomfortless)
adjective
Word origin
ME comforten < OFr conforter, to comfort < LL (esp. in Vulg. of O.T.) confortare, to strengthen much < L com-, intens. + fortis, strong: see fort1
More idioms containing
comfort
cold comfort
Examples of 'comfort' in a sentence
comfort
You deserve to be enveloped in a duvet of love and comfort for your great loss.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Free healthcare and education were of little comfort when food rationing and poverty were all around.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He then said for me to put my arm around and comfort her.
The Sun (2016)
There is something paradoxically comforting to liberals about such an explanation.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But another less comforting thought forms.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If there is one comfort it is that you have had a lucky escape from a man who is clearly an opportunistic user.
The Sun (2016)
We need comfort to replenish, but it can be a trap.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In the dark days of winter it is comforting to feel the warmth of crackling logs in an open fireplace or a wood burner.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Maybe it's a comfort thing?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Friends in liberal Boston said their Tinder accounts were buzzing as people sought solace and comfort.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We need to take away the comfort zone and make them hungry again.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You are not alone and talking to people who really understand will be a great comfort.
The Sun (2014)
This will give added comfort to investors.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
How can you measure comfort and solace?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You need an embrace to comfort you when things go wrong.
The Sun (2011)
The ear cups pivot for extra ease and comfort.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
So maybe a bit too close to life for comfort.
The Sun (2015)
Think about it that way and the end of the world is quite a comforting idea.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The food tastes good and we feel comforted and warmed by fat.
Lamplugh, Diana & Sterwin, Diana & Nottidge, Pamela Survive the Nine to Five - a woman's guide to working well (1989)
Their relationship is not known but they appeared to comfort one another in their dying moments.
The Sun (2013)
Not if he brings joy and comfort into your life apart from this issue.
The Sun (2012)
But that goal will give him a little bit of relief and comfort.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You provide excitement when she needs it and comfort when she is low.
The Sun (2012)
All parks offer the best choice of quality caravan accommodation with all the comforts of home.
The Sun (2009)
There was little comfort to be found in the faces of the families.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
She finds hospital comforting as she knows her pain can be controlled.
The Sun (2009)
There was something comforting about a bloodless world of victorious cops and exemplary parenthood.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They are easy to make and comforting to eat.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This chair was a great comfort to her.
Susan Coolidge What Katy Did (1872)
And when you feel happy you are less likely to turn to food for comfort or solace.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
There were people far more able to get close and offer the comfort of an arm around the shoulder.
Christianity Today (2000)
What comforts me is less the company of men than being an individual with a role to fulfil in life.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
comfort
British English: comfort NOUN
Comfort is being relaxed, and having no pain or worry.
This will enable the audience to sit in comfort while watching the shows.
American English: comfort
Brazilian Portuguese: conforto
Chinese: 舒适
European Spanish: comodidad
French: confort
German: Komfort
Italian: comodità
Japanese: 快適
Korean: 편안함
European Portuguese: conforto
Latin American Spanish: comodidad
British English: comfort VERB
If you comfort someone, you make them feel less worried, unhappy, or upset, for example by saying kind things to them.
Ned put his arm around her, trying to comfort her.
American English: comfort
Brazilian Portuguese: consolar
Chinese: 安慰
European Spanish: consolar
French: réconforter
German: trösten
Italian: consolare
Japanese: 慰める
Korean: 위로하다
European Portuguese: consolar
Latin American Spanish: consolar
All related terms of 'comfort'
cold comfort
If you say that a slightly encouraging fact or event is cold comfort to someone, you mean that it gives them little or no comfort because their situation is so difficult or unpleasant .
comfort food
If you call something comfort food , you mean it is enjoyable to eat and makes you feel happier , although it may not be very good for your health .
comfort stop
a short break on a journey to allow travellers to go to the toilet
comfort zone
If a situation or activity is out of your comfort zone , it does not make you feel secure, comfortable, or in control.
comfort blanket
a blanket that a young child is very attached to
comfort eating
the practice of eating to make oneself feel happier
comfort letter
an informal statement assuring the financial soundness or backing of a company
comfort station
a public lavatory and rest room
creature comfort
anything providing bodily comfort , as food, clothing, or shelter
letter of comfort
See comfort letter
too close etc for comfort
If you say that something is, for example , too close for comfort , you mean you are worried because it is closer than you would like it to be.
Chinese translation of 'comfort'
comfort
(ˈkʌmfət)
n
(u) (physical, material) 舒适(適) (shūshì)
(c/u) (= solace, relief) 安慰 (ānwèi)
vt
(= console) 安慰 (ānwèi)
to live in comfort过(過)着(著)舒适(適)的生活 (guòzhe shūshì de shēnghuó)
Derived Forms
comfortsn pl使生活舒适(適)的东(東)西 (shǐ shēnghuó shūshì de dōngxi)
1 (noun)
Definition
a state of physical ease or well-being
She had enough money to live in comfort for the rest of her life.
Synonyms
ease
She lived a life of ease.
luxury
Relax in the luxury of a Roman-style bath.
wellbeing
opulence
the opulence of the hotel's sumptuous interior
2 (noun)
Definition
relief from suffering or grief
I tried to find some words of comfort to offer her.
Synonyms
consolation
I sought consolation in books and created my own world.
cheer
This news did not bring them much cheer.
encouragement
Thanks for all your advice and encouragement.
succour
Have you offered comfort and succour to your friend?
help
Thanks very much for your help.
support
We hope to continue to have her close support and friendship.
aid
He was forced to turn to his former enemy for aid.
relief
The news will come as a great relief.
ease
compensation
alleviation
Opposites
discomfort
,
irritation
,
hassle (informal)
,
annoyance
,
aggravation
,
discouragement
(verb)
Definition
to bring physical ease to
He put his arm round her, trying to comfort her.
Synonyms
console
I can console myself with the thought that I'm not alone.
encourage
When things aren't going well, he always encourages me.
ease
I made her a hot water bottle to ease the pain.
cheer
The people around him were cheered by his presence.
strengthen
relieve
Drugs can relieve much of the pain.
reassure
She just reassured me and told me that everything was fine.
soothe
He would take her in his arms and soothe her.
hearten
The news heartened everybody.
solace
assuage
She was trying to assuage her guilt.
gladden
commiserate with
inspirit
Opposites
trouble
,
excite
,
bother
,
depress
,
distress
,
annoy
,
irritate
,
discomfort
,
hassle (informal)
,
aggravate (informal)
,
agitate
,
ruffle
,
sadden
,
irk
,
rile
,
give someone grief
Additional synonyms
in the sense of aid
Definition
money, equipment, or services provided for people in need
He was forced to turn to his former enemy for aid.