comfort woman
A woman forced, or supposedly recruited, into brothels by the Japanese occupation forces before or during World War II.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“History books describe the tragic lives of every comfort woman.”
“Many survivors have shared their painful stories about being forced to serve as a comfort woman during the war.”
“The historical record provides harrowing accounts of the systemic abuse suffered by each comfort woman during the period of military occupation.”
Calque from Japanese 慰(い)安(あん)婦(ふ) (ianfu).
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cold comfort
Much less reassurance, consolation, aid, or pleasure than one needs or desires.
- 02
comfort girl
A female sex slave; prostitute.
- 03
comfort zone
The range of circumstances in which a person feels relaxed or able to cope.
- 04
creature comfort
Any small item or detail that makes a person feel comfortable and at home.
- 05
dried-fish woman
A woman, especially a young one, who lacks a significant other.
- 06
God's gift to women
Someone irresistible to women: someone whom all women find attractive; (often) someone ironically described as such.
- 07
make an honest woman
To marry (a woman), especially if there is an existing sexual relationship.
- 08
other woman
A woman who is romantically involved with someone (usually a man) already in a committed relationship with another woman, especially a woman having an affair with a married man.
Last updated August 10, 2026