comfort

A pleasant feeling of being relaxed, with no pain or physical difficulty.

• This chair offers great comfort.
• We slept in comfort under warm blankets.
• Soft shoes are important for comfort on long walks.

Similar words: ease

Opposites: discomfort

Common phrases: in comfort, physical comfort, for your comfort, live in comfort

Help or reassurance that makes someone feel less sad, worried, or afraid.

• Her words gave me comfort.
• He found comfort in his friends after the funeral.
• Can you take comfort in the progress you have made?

How to use it: take comfort in something (She took comfort in knowing her family was safe.); comfort from someone/something (He found comfort from talking to his sister.)

Similar words: consolation, reassurance, solace

Common phrases: give comfort, take comfort in, offer comfort

Something that makes life pleasant, comfortable, or easier.

• A hot bath is a simple comfort.
• We missed the comforts of home while camping.
• The cottage has all the modern comforts.

Similar words: convenience, luxury

Common phrases: a small comfort, a home comfort, a modern comfort

A person or thing that makes you feel less worried or sad.

• Your letter was a comfort.
• Knowing they were safe was a great comfort to us.
• Her dog became a comfort during those lonely months.

How to use it: a comfort to someone (Her visits were a comfort to her father.); a comfort to know that… (It is a comfort to know that help is nearby.)

Similar words: consolation, solace

Common phrases: a great comfort, small comfort, a comfort to

To help someone feel less sad, worried, or afraid.

• She comforted the crying child.
• He tried to comfort his friend after the accident.
• A familiar voice can comfort someone who feels afraid.

How to use it: comfort someone with something (She comforted him with kind words.)

Similar words: console, reassure, soothe

Common phrases: comfort someone, comfort a child, comfort someone with something, comfort a friend