I. com ‧ fort 1 W3 /ˈkʌmfət $ -ərt/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ comfort , ↑ discomfort , ↑ comforter ; adverb : ↑ comfortably ≠ ↑ uncomfortably , ↑ comfortingly ; adjective : ↑ comfortable ≠ ↑ uncomfortable , ↑ comforting ; verb : ↑ comfort ]
1 . PHYSICAL [uncountable] a feeling of being physically relaxed and satisfied, so that nothing is hurting you, making you feel too hot or cold etc ⇨ comfortable , discomfort
built/made/designed for comfort
All our sports shoes are designed for comfort and performance.
too hot/high/tight etc for comfort (=physically unpleasant for a particular reason)
The temperature was too low for comfort.
I dress for comfort, not fashion.
Alan was very reluctant to leave the warmth and comfort of the fire.
in comfort
Upstairs is a more intimate bar where guests can relax in comfort.
Now you can watch your favorite movies in the comfort of your own home.
2 . EMOTIONAL [uncountable] if someone or something gives you comfort, they make you feel calmer, happier, or more hopeful after you have been worried or unhappy ⇨ comforting :
Whenever he was upset, he would turn to her for comfort and advice.
give/bring/provide/offer comfort
a book which offers comfort and help to the parents of children with cancer
The knowledge that Cara was safe gave him some comfort.
great/much/little comfort
My faith has been a source of great comfort over the years.
take/draw/derive comfort from (doing) something
He drew comfort from her warm support.
find/take comfort in (doing) something
You can take some comfort in the fact that you did your best.
it’s no/some comfort
It was no comfort to think he might be as frightened as she was.
if it’s any comfort (=used to introduce a statement that you think may make someone feel slightly less worried or unhappy)
Well, if it’s any comfort, I don’t think he’ll try again.
3 . SOMEBODY/SOMETHING THAT HELPS [countable] someone or something that helps you feel calmer, happier, or more hopeful after you have been worried or unhappy ⇨ comforting
be a comfort (to somebody)
Louisa’s been a great comfort to me since Mary died.
It’s a comfort to know there’s someone to keep an eye on the kids.
4 . MONEY/POSSESSIONS [uncountable] a way of living in which you have all the money and possessions that you need or want ⇨ comfortable
in comfort
When Dad died, he left us both enough to live in comfort for the rest of our lives.
He was used to a life of comfort.
5 . comforts [plural] the things that make your life nicer and more comfortable, especially things that are not necessary:
Modern caravans offer all the comforts of home.
hotels with all the modern comforts (=things such as a television, telephone etc)
material comforts (=money and possessions) ⇨ ↑ creature comforts
6 . too close/near for comfort something that is too close for comfort makes you feel worried, unhappy, or uncomfortable, because it is dangerous in some way:
The cars were whizzing past us much too close for comfort.
7 . cold/small comfort a small piece of good news that does not make you feel better about a bad situation
cold/small comfort for/to
Another drop in the inflation rate was cold comfort yesterday for the 2.74 million jobless.
⇨ ↑ comfort food , ↑ comfort zone
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ verbs
▪ take comfort from something
The family has taken comfort from the support of friends.
▪ draw/derive comfort from something formal (=take comfort from something)
Economists have been quick to draw comfort from the latest figures.
▪ find/take comfort in something
He had been through a similar experience and she found comfort in that.
▪ offer (somebody) comfort
Volunteers are available to offer comfort and advice.
▪ give (somebody) comfort
It was impossible to give her any comfort.
▪ bring (somebody) comfort
Religious belief can bring comfort during times of stress.
▪ provide comfort
Talking about your problems may provide some comfort.
▪ seek comfort (=look for comfort)
People come to us seeking comfort and guidance.
■ adjectives
▪ great comfort
Your letters have been a great comfort to me.
▪ cold/small comfort (=not much comfort)
The tax changes will provide cold comfort to people living on a pension.
■ phrases
▪ a word of comfort
He tried to find some words of comfort that would help her.
▪ a source of comfort
Some people eat as a source of comfort.
▪ a crumb of comfort (=a very small amount)
‘You’re no worse than the rest,’ the football coach said, trying to offer me a crumb of comfort.
▪ if it’s any comfort (=used to say something that may make someone less worried or unhappy)
If it’s any comfort, you very nearly passed the exam.
■ comfort + NOUN
▪ comfort food (=food that you eat to make you feel relaxed and happy)
I find pasta and cheese is a great comfort food.
II. comfort 2 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ comfort , ↑ discomfort , ↑ comforter ; adverb : ↑ comfortably ≠ ↑ uncomfortably , ↑ comfortingly ; adjective : ↑ comfortable ≠ ↑ uncomfortable , ↑ comforting ; verb : ↑ comfort ]
[ Date: 1100-1200 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: conforter , from Late Latin confortare 'to strengthen' , from Latin com- ( ⇨ COM- ) + fortis 'strong' ]
to make someone feel less worried, unhappy, or upset, for example by saying kind things to them or touching them ⇨ comforting :
Within hours of the news, Helen arrived to comfort her heartbroken friend.
He longed to take her in his arms and comfort her.
Mr Aston’s father was last night being comforted by relatives.
comfort yourself
She comforted herself with the thought that it would soon be spring.