comfort

verb

com·​fort ˈkəm(p)-fərt 

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 parents comforted their crying child.

The bereaved families of the victims were comforted by friends.

comfortingly

ˈkəm(p)-fər-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of comfort

• assure
• reassure
• soothe

Examples of comfort in a Sentence

Our family was comforted by the outpouring of support from the community.

We can comfort ourselves with the thought that the worst is over.

Recent Examples on the Web

Some might call this formula comforting. —Noel Murray, Vulture, 29 May 2026

She was quickly comforted by Maria, and the umpire Aurélie Tourte instantly called for medical attention. —Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 29 May 2026

But what this act meant between the two is up for interpretation, as the kiss was shared when Agnes was comforting Becka in the moments before Becka’s wedding to Agnes’ crush, Garth (Brad Alexander). —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 28 May 2026

His team provides trauma counseling, material aid and plush toys that play comforting music. —Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing comfort

• cold comfort
• comfort food
• comfort station
• comfort zone
• creature comfort
• in the comfort of one's own home
• take comfort in
• too close for comfort
• too near for comfort

Rhymes for comfort

• discomfort

Kids Definition

comfort

1 of 2 verb

com·​fort ˈkəm(p)-fərt 

1

: to give strength and hope to : cheer

2

: to ease the grief or trouble of : console

comfortingly

ˈkəm(p)-fər-tiŋ-lē 

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

-ləs 

adjective