English Reference

Word

comfortable

Phoneticscom·fort·able

US/ˈkəmfɝtəbəɫ/

UK/kˈʌmftəbəl/

Definitions

01physically pleasant

A2 · Elementary

adj. making you feel physically relaxed and at ease.

adj. providing physical comfort or ease; agreeable to the body.

“This new sofa is very comfortable to sit on while watching a movie.”

“The hotel room featured a remarkably comfortable mattress, ensuring that the weary travellers woke up fully refreshed for their morning meeting.”

Synonyms

02relaxed or confident

B1 · Intermediate

adj. feeling relaxed and not worried about a situation.

adj. experiencing a state of mental or emotional ease; free from anxiety or doubt.

“I don't feel comfortable walking home alone in the dark.”

“After several months in the role, the manager finally felt comfortable making high-stakes decisions without consulting the board of directors.”

Synonyms

03having enough money

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. having enough money to live well without worrying.

adj. possessing sufficient financial resources to maintain a good standard of living.

“They aren't rich, but they have a comfortable life in the suburbs.”

“The couple retired on a comfortable pension, allowing them to travel abroad twice a year without straining their savings.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

04a bed cover

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun American English · Dialect

n. a thick, warm cover for a bed.

n. a stuffed or quilted coverlet for a bed; a comforter.

“She pulled the comfortable up to her chin to stay warm during the cold night.”

“The guest room was furnished with an antique wooden bed and a hand-stitched comfortable passed down through the family.”

Usage

In modern American English, 'comforter' is significantly more common than 'comfortable' for this noun sense.

Synonyms

quiltduvetcomforter

Etymology

From Middle English comfortable, from Old French confortable, from conforter. By surface analysis, comfort + -able.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

ADJECTIVE

comfortable(A2)

Related words

Idioms

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

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