cushionnoun [ C ]
uk/ˈkʊʃ.ən/us/ˈkʊʃ.ən/cushion noun [ C ] (SOFT THING)
B1 US also pillow a bag made of cloth, plastic, or leather that is filled with soft material, often has an attractive cover, and is used especially on chairs for sitting or leaning on:
She sank back against/into the cushions.
See also
pincushion
cushion of air
a layer of air often used to support a machine or vehicle:
A hovercraft travels on a cushion of air.
More examples
- Stuff the cushion and then sew up the final seam.
- My aunt was busy straightening furniture and plumping cushions.
- The cushions blend well with the colour of the carpet.
- The new yellow cushions nicely set off the pale green of the chair covers.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Cushions & furniture coverings
- antimacassar
- canopy
- loose covers
- pillow
- plump
- plush
- scatter cushion
- scatter rug
- slipcover
- soft furnishings
- soft goods
- upholster
- upholstery
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Coverings and layers
cushion noun [ C ] (PROTECTION)
C2 something that makes the effects of a bad situation less severe:
You should aim to build up a cushion of money in case of emergencies.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Making things better
- a shot in the arm idiom
- add salt to sth idiom
- allay
- alleviate
- ameliorate
- heal
- mitigate
- mollify
- more
- palliate
- patch sth up
- redeem
- relieve
- salve
- spice sth up
- sting
- straighten
- straighten sb out
- streamline
- sugar-coated
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cushionverb [ T ]
uk/ˈkʊʃ.ən/us/ˈkʊʃ.ən/to make the effect or force of something softer:
The soft grass cushioned his fall.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Defending and protecting
- baby
- bandobast
- bastion
- biodefence
- cherish
- featherbed
- guard
- kill
- mother
- out of harm's way idiom
- overprotective
- patrol
- proof
- proof
- protect
- protective
- ring-fence
- rustproof
- wrap
- wrap sb (up) in cotton wool idiom
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Idiom(s)
cushion the blow