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REFERENCE

comfortable

adj. · n.
US //ˈkəmfɝtəbəɫ// UK //kˈʌmftəbəl// com·fort·able
  1. 1 physically pleasant (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    making you feel physically relaxed and at ease.

    providing physical comfort or ease; agreeable to the body.

    Example

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

    Example

    The hotel room featured a remarkably comfortable mattress, ensuring that the weary travellers woke up fully refreshed for their morning meeting.
  2. 2 relaxed or confident (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    feeling relaxed and not worried about a situation.

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

    Example

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

    Example

    After several months in the role, the manager finally felt comfortable making high-stakes decisions without consulting the board of directors.
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  1. 3 having enough money (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    having enough money to live well without worrying.

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The couple retired on a comfortable pension, allowing them to travel abroad twice a year without straining their savings.
  2. 4 a bed cover (n.)
    C2 Proficiency American English Dialect

    a thick, warm cover for a bed.

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

    Example

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

    Example

    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.
Origin

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

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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