comfortable
/ˈkʌmf(ə)təb(ə)l
/adjective
1(Especially of clothes or furnishings) providing physical ease and relaxation: comfortable sturdy shoes relax in a comfortable chair...
- In the rest of the world, all walkers need are a pair of good walking shoes, comfortable clothes and sufficient incentive.
- It is best experienced in comfortable shoes and clothes which are easy to remove and not too hot.
- She brought in some favorite furnishings, including a comfortable couch covered with snowy white fabric.
Synonyms
cosy, snug, warm, pleasant, enjoyable, agreeable, congenial, plush, well furnished;
sheltered, secure, safe, restful, homelike, homely
informal comfy, snuggly
1.1(Of a person) physically relaxed and free from constraint: he would not be comfortable in any other clothes...
- He could mix it physically in games if needed but he was most comfortable when given the space and capacity to show his full range of passes and sublime skills.
- He actually used the Cruz stance in 1999 when his bat felt slow, but he was not comfortable at first.
- You are immediately comfortable, and it is very easy to drive.
Synonyms
loose, loose-fitting, casual, roomy, soft, slouchy
informal comfy
1.2(Of a hospital patient) not in pain or in danger: he was said to be comfortable in the West Highland Hospital...
- All three, who come from Pickering, were suffering abdominal and lower back pains, but were comfortable and stable in hospital today.
- Fellow staff witnessed her telling doctors that seemingly comfortable patients were in pain, prompting them to prescribe morphine.
- It ensures the patient is comfortable, manages pain and may offer the patient some emotional support.
1.3Free from stress or tension: they appear very comfortable in each other’s company few of us are comfortable with confrontations...
- She said she wanted to feel whether they'd be comfortable with each other.
- The cookies did look very good, but she wasn't comfortable enough to accept free cookies yet.
- The baby seemed to study Jane, and Jane was not comfortable under the steady, serious-looking gaze.
Synonyms
at ease, at one's ease, relaxed, reassured, confident, secure, safe, serene, tranquil, unworried, contented, happy
1.4Free from financial worry; having an adequate standard of living: the Rector enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle with plenty of servants...
- The family, though not wealthy, was financially comfortable by Dominican standards.
- The inevitable growth of globalisation means that if we are to maintain our very comfortable standard of living we need to work smarter than others.
- I recently asked a skilled worker, who enjoys a fairly comfortable standard of living, how he would be affected by a prolonged layoff.
Synonyms
pleasant, free from hardship, well off, well-to-do, affluent, luxurious, gracious, opulent, elegant
2As large as is needed or wanted: a comfortable income...
- He had in the mean time found a wife for himself after settling in life with a comfortable income leaving his past far, far behind.
- These women do not have the skill to market their goods to generate a comfortable income.
- How do you plan to manage your assets during retirement so that you can generate a comfortable income?
2.1With a wide margin: a comfortable victory...
- In the end the margin of victory was comfortable enough, but for the departing Bangladeshis, it was very much their day.
- When the money was counted the following day, the organisers realised that the total had exceeded £10,000 by a comfortable margin.
- They had demonstrated their talent and skills in their next four league fixtures which they had won with comfortable margins.
noun US dialect
A warm quilt.
Derivatives
comfortableness
- With his wife, he created an atoll of comfortableness amidst the surging throngs and I always felt a tug towards them.
- ‘East London has unique selling points such as its location, comfortableness and easy access,’ he said.
- He'd held his feelings in check, yet felt serene and happy as he held her in his arms during that evening of comfortableness on both of their parts.
Origin
Middle English (in the sense 'pleasant, pleasing'): from Anglo-Norman French confortable, from conforter 'to comfort' (see comfort).