comfort
comfort — noun
1. a relaxed physical condition in which your body is free from discomfort or suffe
a relaxed physical condition in which your body is free from discomfort or suffering
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.
The nurse moved the patient to a quiet room where she could rest in comfort.
A good running shoe gives you comfort even on long morning runs.
Yara chose the firm mattress because it offered more comfort for her back.
- discomfort
the direct opposite — physical unease or pain
用法筆記
Always uncountable in this sense — you cannot speak of 'a comfort' when referring to physical ease.
常見錯誤
2. the easing of grief or worry through the kindness of others; also a source of su
the easing of grief or worry through the kindness of others; also a source of such emotional support
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]
It was a real comfort to Kofi to know that his sister had arrived home safely.
Ravi turned to old photographs for comfort whenever he missed his hometown.
The support group offered comfort to everyone who was caring for a sick relative.
- 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
- distress
extreme worry or unhappiness that comfort is meant to relieve
文法句型
comfort + for + noun phrase
a comfort + to-infinitive
a comfort + that-clause
用法筆記
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).
常見錯誤
3. a way of living in which you have sufficient money to buy everything you need an
a way of living in which you have sufficient money to buy everything you need and to enjoy life without worrying about costs
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.
The Yamada family grew up with very little, but years of hard work brought them material comfort.
A life of comfort does not always bring happiness, as Noa learned after selling his firm.
- affluence
a higher level of wealth, suggesting luxury rather than sufficiency
- prosperity
broader — includes financial success and general well-being
- poverty
the state of lacking basic financial resources
用法筆記
Strictly uncountable. Frequently paired with live in, a life of, or enjoy the comforts of (though the last stretches into sense 4 territory).
常見錯誤
4. a physical object or feature that makes daily living easier, more convenient, or
a physical object or feature that makes daily living easier, more convenient, or more pleasant
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
Beatriz missed the simple comforts of her own kitchen while staying in the hotel.
Central heating was once a luxury, but is now an everyday comfort in cold countries.
The apartment offers all the usual comforts, such as air conditioning and an elevator.
- 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
- inconvenience
something that causes difficulty or trouble
用法筆記
Usually used in the plural (comforts). When singular, it often appears in phrases like a comfort or the comfort of [something].
常見錯誤
comfort — verb
1. to say kind things or act in a gentle, caring way toward someone who is sad, wor
to say kind things or act in a gentle, caring way toward someone who is sad, worried, or upset, in order to help them feel better
The night-shift nurse comforted the crying child by holding his hand and singing softly.
transitive: comfort + somebody + by [doing something]
Ravi tried to comfort his friend after she failed the important driving test.
Hana comforted her elderly neighbour by bringing him warm soup every afternoon.
No one could comfort the grieving family after the sudden loss of their pet dog.
- upset
to cause someone to feel worried, unhappy, or distressed
文法句型
comfort + somebody
用法筆記
The object is always the person who is upset. You comfort someone, not their sadness — the verb acts on the person directly.