English Reference
adjective · noun

comfortable

adj. · n.
US /ˈkəmfɝtəbəɫ/ UK /kˈʌmftəbəl/ com·fort·able

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    adj.making you feel physically relaxed and at ease.

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

    Simple

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

    In context

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

  2. 02 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.

    Simple

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

    In context

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

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.having enough money to live well without worrying.

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

    Simple

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

    In context

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

  4. 04 C2 Proficiency American EnglishDialect

    n.a thick, warm cover for a bed.

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

    Simple

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

    In context

    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.

    quiltduvetcomforter

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.

This entry
Origin Old French confortable
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Common
Updated