comfort
/ˈkʌmfət
/noun [mass noun]
1A state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint: there is room for four people to travel in comfort...
- Although there's little scientific data to support these modalities, they can ease pain and provide comfort for your pet.
- These particular do-gooders know what is good for the bulk of people who only want to be able to move around the town with a bit of freedom, ease and comfort.
- Many travellers enjoy the ease and comfort of train travel and, for those who have time on their side, it's a great way to traverse our enormous country.
1.1 (comforts) Things that contribute to physical ease and well-being: the low upholstered chair was one of the room’s few comforts...
- It's an even tighter squeeze once he's added the comforts which ease his solitary existence.
- Hot dogs and bug juice may be necessary to sustain life, but physical comforts are an essential ingredient to sustain emotional health.
- One broad generalization is applicable to all of us in our life: The genetic material we inherit compels us to seek more and more physical comforts and sensual pleasures.
1.2Prosperity and the pleasant lifestyle secured by it: my father left us enough to live in comfort...
- A world where some live in comfort and plenty, while half of the human race lives on less than $2 a day, is neither just nor stable.
- Diversion and manipulation are niche marketed, the spectacle of prosperity and comfort is produced, and huge profits are made.
- Despite living in wealth and comfort, the family was far from happy.
Synonyms
ease, freedom from hardship, repose, relaxation, serenity, tranquillity, contentment, content, well-being, cosiness, enjoyment;
luxury, affluence, prosperity, prosperousness, wealth, opulence;
plenty, sufficiency, welfare;
bed of roses
rare easefulness
2The easing or alleviation of a person’s feelings of grief or distress: a few words of comfort they should take comfort that help is available...
- He was given words of comfort and sympathy by fellow MPs in the Commons yesterday following the death of his wife.
- He was accepting words of consolation and comfort from his visitors with such a sad and distressed look on his face.
- She always had a word of consolation and comfort to all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Synonyms
consolation, solace, condolence, sympathy, fellow feeling, commiseration;
help, support, succour, relief, easement, alleviation;
reassurance, cheer, gladdening
2.1 [in singular] A person or thing that helps to alleviate a difficult situation: his friendship was a great comfort...
- Knowing you are not the only one in this situation is a great comfort.
- In many ways this is a comfort and a consolation.
- At the age of 17, when I was homeless, all I had were my thoughts and the comfort of pretending that my situation would improve.
3US dialect A warm quilt.
verb [with object]
1Ease the grief or distress of: the victim was comforted by friends before being taken to hospital...
- Stories of her presence comforting soldiers in the trenches of WWI abounded.
- His presence comforts me though - something about his personality makes me feel warm inside.
- And they comforted her with their presence and with their appreciation and just by the fact that they listened.
1.1Improve the mood of or restore a sense of physical well-being to: he dined outdoors, comforted by the crackling sounds of the fire...
- She could vaguely smell his cologne, a smell that comforted her.
- A refreshing breeze comforted the golfers but hampered their game.
- Players trek into deep jungle and coconut mangroves while comforted by the cool breezes from the ocean.
Origin
Middle English (as a noun, in the senses 'strengthening, support, consolation'; as a verb, in the senses 'strengthen, give support, console'): from Old French confort (noun), conforter (verb), from late Latin confortare 'strengthen', from com- (expressing intensive force) + Latin fortis 'strong'. The sense 'something producing physical ease' arose in the mid 17th century.