English Reference

Word

relief

Phoneticsre·lief, stress on the second syllable

US/ɹiˈɫif/

UK/ɹɪlˈiːf/

Definitions

01feeling of comfort

B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. the happy or relaxed feeling you have when something unpleasant stops or does not happen.

n. the feeling of reassurance or relaxation following the release from anxiety, pain, or distress.

“It was a huge relief to hear that everyone was safe after the storm.”

“She breathed a profound sigh of relief when the test results finally arrived, confirming that the tumor was benign and no further surgery was required.”

02reduction of pain

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. the act of making pain or a problem less severe.

n. the alleviation or removal of a physical or mental burden, such as pain or financial debt.

“This new medicine provides quick relief from muscle aches.”

“The government proposed a series of measures aimed at providing immediate debt relief to small businesses struggling in the current economic climate.”

03humanitarian aid

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. food, money, or help given to people who are in a very bad situation, like a war or natural disaster.

n. assistance, especially in the form of food, clothing, or medical supplies, provided to those in urgent need or experiencing a disaster.

“Charities are sending emergency relief to the victims of the earthquake.”

“International relief agencies struggled to coordinate the delivery of supplies to the remote mountainous regions affected by the flooding.”

Synonyms

aidassistancesuccour

04a replacement person

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a person who takes over someone else's work or shift so they can rest.

n. a person or group that replaces another on duty; the act of taking over a shift or post.

“The night nurse waited for her relief to arrive before she went home.”

“The weary sentry scanned the horizon, anxiously awaiting the arrival of his relief so he could finally return to the barracks for sleep.”

05raised art or surface

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Technical

n. a type of art where the shapes stick out from a flat background.

n. a sculptural technique where the figures or design elements are raised above the background plane.

“The ancient stone walls were decorated with beautiful carvings in relief.”

“The bronze doors featured intricate scenes from classical mythology cast in high relief, creating deep shadows that added to the dramatic effect.”

Synonyms

projectionembossment

06legal redress

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Law Formal · Technical

n. help or protection given by a court of law.

n. legal redress or assistance granted by a court, such as an injunction or compensation.

“The company is seeking legal relief to stop the competitor from using its logo.”

“The plaintiffs sought injunctive relief to prevent the developer from proceeding with the construction until a full environmental impact study was completed.”

Synonyms

07acting as a substitute

B2 · Upper Intermediate British English · Dialect

adj. describing someone who does a job when the usual person is away.

adj. serving as a temporary substitute for another professional, particularly in education or healthcare.

“The school had to hire a relief teacher for the week.”

“The hospital relies heavily on relief staff during the winter months when permanent employees are frequently absent due to illness.”

Usage

Usually placed before the noun.

Teaching tip

Commonly used in Australia and New Zealand as 'relief teacher'; in the UK, 'supply teacher' is more frequent.

Antonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “relief” in context.

Verb

01. bring relief

“The cool evening breeze finally brought relief from the scorching heat.”

verb + noun

02. express relief

“The parents expressed relief when they heard their children were safe.”

verb + noun

03. provide relief for families

“The government announced a new policy to provide relief for families struggling with rising energy costs.”

verb + noun + prep + noun

Adjective

04. huge relief

“It was a huge relief to find my lost passport at the bottom of my bag.”

adj + noun

05. temporary relief

“These painkillers only provide temporary relief, so you should see a doctor.”

adj + noun

Noun

06. disaster relief effort

“International agencies are coordinating a massive disaster relief effort in the flooded region.”

adj + noun + noun

07. sense of relief

“A sudden sense of relief washed over her when the exam was finally over.”

noun + of + noun

Preposition

08. with relief

“She sighed with relief when she realized the noise was just the wind.”

prep + noun

Real-World Examples

“Garnett is nervous, clearly but apologetically asking for pain relief – “I’m not wimpy but this I find so painful” – but is swept through with none.”
The Guardian 16 Aug 2026
“Air-conditioned public buildings such as libraries, leisure centres and shopping centres can also provide relief if your home is too hot.”
BBC News 22 Jun 2026

Etymology

From Old French relief (“assistance”), from Old French relever (“to relieve”), from Latin relevare (“to raise up, make light”). See also relieve.

From Italian rilievo, from rilevare (“to raise”), from Latin relevō (“to raise”).

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

Idioms

Domains

LawMilitary

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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Common
Level
B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
Updated

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