comfort

comfort — noun

1. a relaxed physical condition in which your body is free from discomfort or suffe

1.nounB1
Definition

a relaxed physical condition in which your body is free from discomfort or suffering

Example

Priya sank into the big armchair and enjoyed the comfort of its soft cushions.

uncountable noun: the comfort of [object]

After the massage, Theo felt a deep sense of comfort in his sore shoulders.

Common collocations
  • in comfort
  • comfort of [something]
  • sense of comfort
  • offer comfort
  • give comfort
Synonyms
  • ease

    focuses on lack of difficulty or effort rather than physical relaxation

  • cosiness

    British; emphasises warmth and snugness rather than relief from pain

Antonyms
  • discomfort

    the direct opposite — physical unease or pain

Usage Note

Always uncountable in this sense — you cannot speak of 'a comfort' when referring to physical ease.

Common Mistakes

I found a great comfort in this chair
I found great comfort in this chair.
'comfort' meaning physical ease is uncountable; no article needed.

2. the easing of grief or worry through the kindness of others; also a source of su

2.nounC2
Definition

the easing of grief or worry through the kindness of others; also a source of such emotional support

Example

When Leila lost her job, her best friend's encouraging words were a great comfort.

countable: a comfort — a thing that provides it

The Okonkwo family found comfort in each other after the earthquake destroyed their home.

uncountable: find comfort in [someone/something]

Common collocations
  • find comfort in
  • take comfort in
  • bring comfort
  • offer comfort
  • a comfort to
  • draw comfort from
  • seek comfort
  • words of comfort
Synonyms
  • consolation

    more formal; focuses on being comforted after a specific disappointment or loss

  • solace

    literary; suggests deep, quiet comfort in a time of great grief

  • reassurance

    focuses on removing doubt or fear rather than sadness

Antonyms
  • distress

    extreme worry or unhappiness that comfort is meant to relieve

Grammar Patterns

comfort + for + noun phrase

a comfort + to-infinitive

a comfort + that-clause

Usage Note

Can be either countable or uncountable. When a specific person or thing provides the relief, use a comfort (countable). For the general feeling, use comfort (uncountable).

Common Mistakes

I take comfort from knowing you are here' (when meaning 'I take comfort in knowing')
I take comfort in knowing you are here.
the fixed phrase is 'take comfort in', not 'from'.

3. a way of living in which you have sufficient money to buy everything you need an

3.nounC2
Definition

a way of living in which you have sufficient money to buy everything you need and to enjoy life without worrying about costs

Example

After decades of hard work, the Watanabe family now live in comfort by the sea.

collocation: live in comfort

Diego's new job pays well enough for him to enjoy a life of modest comfort.

Common collocations
  • live in comfort
  • material comfort
  • life of comfort
  • enjoy comfort
  • a life of comfort
Synonyms
  • affluence

    a higher level of wealth, suggesting luxury rather than sufficiency

  • prosperity

    broader — includes financial success and general well-being

Antonyms
  • poverty

    the state of lacking basic financial resources

Usage Note

Strictly uncountable. Frequently paired with live in, a life of, or enjoy the comforts of (though the last stretches into sense 4 territory).

Common Mistakes

They live in a comfort
They live in comfort.
no article needed; this sense is always uncountable.

4. a physical object or feature that makes daily living easier, more convenient, or

4.nounC1
Definition

a physical object or feature that makes daily living easier, more convenient, or more pleasant

Example

Hot running water is a modern comfort that many people now take for granted.

countable noun: a modern comfort

The holiday cabin had all the comforts of home, with a washing machine and Wi-Fi.

idiomatic: all the comforts of home

Common collocations
  • modern comforts
  • all the comforts of home
  • simple comforts
  • everyday comfort
  • usual comforts
  • material comforts
Synonyms
  • convenience

    focuses on saving time or effort rather than on physical pleasure

  • amenity

    more formal; typically refers to facilities in a building or public space

Antonyms

Usage Note

Usually used in the plural (comforts). When singular, it often appears in phrases like a comfort or the comfort of [something].

Common Mistakes

This car has many comfort
This car has many comforts.
in this sense, 'comfort' is countable, so use the plural when listing features.
Idioms

too close for comfort

idiom

This describes a situation where something is dangerously or uncomfortably near.

The car swerved and came too close for comfort to Maya.

Did the final score feel too close for comfort to you?

comfort — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

Comfort, consolation, solace, and reassurance all describe emotional relief, but they differ in register, depth, and context. Comfort is the broadest and most everyday word — it covers everything from a friend's hug to a warm meal after a hard day ("Leila found comfort in her mother's words"). Consolation is more formal and typically tied to a specific loss or disappointment; you offer consolation after a failure or a death, but not for a minor annoyance. Solace is literary and poetic — it suggests a quiet, profound relief found in nature, art, or religion rather than in a person ("He sought solace in the mountains"). Reassurance specifically addresses fear or doubt rather than sadness: you feel reassured when someone tells you everything will be all right. Use comfort for everyday emotional support, consolation for formal sympathy, solace for deep inner peace, and reassurance for easing worry.

comfort ↗consolationsolacereassurance

Common collocations

Nouns

  • comfort zone
  • comfort food
  • comfort level
  • creature comforts

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

  • in comfort
  • for comfort
  • with comfort

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Comfort entered English through Old French confort, which came from the Latin verb confortare, meaning 'to strengthen greatly'. The Latin prefix com- ('together, thoroughly') combined with fortis ('strong') gave the word a sense of making someone emotionally or physically stronger rather than merely easing pain. Over time, the meaning shifted from 'strengthen' toward 'soothe, relieve sorrow', which is how the word is used today.