# relief /ɹiˈɫif/ (US) · /ɹɪlˈiːf/ (UK) Source: https://englishreference.com/word/relief Updated: 2026-06-19 ## Senses ### 1. feeling of comfort noun · CEFR B1 the happy or relaxed feeling you have when something unpleasant stops or does not happen. For teachers: 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. ### 2. reduction of pain noun · CEFR B2 the act of making pain or a problem less severe. For teachers: 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. ### 3. humanitarian aid noun · CEFR B2 food, money, or help given to people who are in a very bad situation, like a war or natural disaster. For teachers: 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. ### 4. a replacement person noun · CEFR B2 a person who takes over someone else's work or shift so they can rest. For teachers: 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. ### 5. raised art or surface noun · CEFR C1 · Technical a type of art where the shapes stick out from a flat background. For teachers: 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. ### 6. legal redress noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical help or protection given by a court of law. For teachers: 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. ### 7. acting as a substitute adjective · CEFR B2 · British English · Dialect describing someone who does a job when the usual person is away. For teachers: 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. ## Examples - It was a huge relief to hear that everyone was safe. - The rain brought much-needed relief to the farmers after three weeks of record-breaking heat and dry soil. - While the immediate relief of the ceasefire was palpable among the civilian population, the underlying tensions that had sparked the conflict remained largely unaddressed by the new treaty. --- From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.