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Meaning & use

comfortable

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈkʌmftəbəl/
US/ˈkʌmfərtəbəl/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparable

    Physically at ease, with no pain, pressure, or awkward constraint.

    Grammar: Gradable: more comfortable, most comfortable; also very comfortable. Often followed by in, on, or with.

    Patterns

    • comfortable in something
    • comfortable to wear
    • comfortable chair

    These shoes are comfortable enough for a full day of walking.

    The sofa looks old but is surprisingly comfortable.

  2. adjectivecomparable

    Having enough money to live without constant financial worry.

    Grammar: Gradable; common frames are financially comfortable and a comfortable income/life.

    Patterns

    • financially comfortable
    • comfortable income
    • comfortable life

    They are not rich, but they are financially comfortable.

    The job pays a comfortable salary for the region.

  3. adjectivecomparable

    Relaxed and confident, not embarrassed or anxious, in a situation.

    Grammar: Common pattern is comfortable with doing or comfortable about something; less physical than sense 1.

    Patterns

    • comfortable with doing something
    • comfortable in front of people
    • feel comfortable

    She is comfortable speaking to large audiences.

    It took weeks before he felt comfortable in the new school.

  4. adjectivebefore a noun

    Of a victory, lead, or margin: large enough to remove serious doubt.

    Grammar: Usually attributive before win, victory, lead, or margin; a different sense from feeling at ease.

    Patterns

    • comfortable win
    • comfortable lead
    • comfortable margin

    The team built a comfortable lead by halftime.

    She won by a comfortable margin in the final vote.

Word forms

comparativemore comfortable
superlativemost comfortable

Common combinations

comfortable chair
A comfortable chair made reading before bed easier.
comfortable with
He is comfortable with basic coding.
financially comfortable
After years of saving, they felt financially comfortable.
comfortable win
The home side earned a comfortable win.

Synonyms and how they differ

cozy
Cozy suggests warmth and small-scale snugness, not every kind of physical ease.
well-off
Well-off fits the money sense only; comfortable can also describe chairs or feelings.
easy
Easy fits the victory sense but not comfort of a bed or confidence.

Opposites

uncomfortablepainful

Word family

comfort noun
A state of physical ease or relief from worry.
comfort verb
To ease someone's pain or worry.
comfortably adverb
In a comfortable way; also in comfortably ahead.
discomfort noun
Mild pain, unease, or embarrassment.

Commonly confused: comfortable or comforting?

comfortable vs comforting

Comfortable describes the person who feels at ease; comforting describes the thing that gives comfort.

Practice

This mattress is much ___ than the old one.

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