comfort

1 of 2

verb

com·​fort ˈkəm(p)-fərt How to pronounce comfort (audio)
comforted; comforting; comforts

transitive verb

1
: to give strength and hope to : cheer
comforted by the knowledge that the program will be fully funded
2
: to ease the grief or trouble of : console
The mother comforted her crying child.
The bereaved families of the victims were comforted by friends.
comfortingly adverb

comfort

2 of 2

noun

1
: strengthening aid:
a
: assistance, support
accused of giving aid and comfort to the enemy
b
: consolation in time of trouble or worry : solace
He turned to her for comfort when he lost his job.
2
a
: a feeling of relief or encouragement
It's a comfort to know that I can rely on you for help.
b
: contented well-being
a life of ease and comfort
3
: a satisfying or enjoyable experience
Seeing her son again after so many years was a great comfort.
4
: one that gives or brings comfort
all the comforts of home
Her grandchildren were always a great comfort to her.
comfortless adjective

Examples of comfort in a Sentence

Verb Our family was comforted by the outpouring of support from the community. We can comfort ourselves with the thought that the worst is over. Noun These boots provide warmth and comfort in the coldest temperatures. The car's seats are designed for comfort. The suites combine comfort with convenience. The drug gave some comfort to the patient. I found a cozy chair where I could read in comfort. He turned to her for comfort and support when he lost his job. They were great comforts to each other during that difficult time.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Many other relatives of workers who had been in the building were also there, praying and being comforted by social workers. John Eligon, New York Times, 9 May 2024 In the body cam footage of the rescue, Officer Speer spots the missing woman after Mercury finds her and comforts her with good news. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 8 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for comfort 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'comfort.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English comforten, conforten "to strengthen spiritually, inspire with courage, exort, cheer up, encourage, invigorate," borrowed from Anglo-French conforter, comforter, borrowed from Late Latin confortāre "to strengthen, restore strength to, invigorate, cure" (Medieval Latin also "to cheer, reassure"), from Latin con- con- + Late Latin -fortāre, verbal derivative of Latin fortis "strong, robust" — more at fort

Noun

Middle English comfort, counfort "invigoration, encouragement, assurance, feeling of relief, pleasure, gratification," borrowed from Anglo-French comfort, confort, cunfort "solace, encouragement, enjoyment, satisfaction," noun derivative of conforter, comforter "to strengthen, encourage, solace" — more at comfort entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of comfort was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near comfort

Cite this Entry

“Comfort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comfort. Accessed 15 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

comfort

1 of 2 verb
com·​fort ˈkəm(p)-fərt How to pronounce comfort (audio)
1
: to give strength and hope to : cheer
2
: to ease the grief or trouble of : console
comfortingly adverb

comfort

2 of 2 noun
1
: acts or words that comfort
2
: the feeling of the one that is comforted
find comfort in a mother's love
3
: something that makes a person comfortable
the comforts of home
comfortless adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on comfort

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