comfortableadj.n.
/ˈkʌmf(ə)təbl/, U.S. /ˈkəmfərdəb(ə)l/, /ˈkəmftərb(ə)l/ A. adj.
I. With active sense.† 1. † 2. Helpful, serviceable, advantageous. Obsolete.† 3. Strengthening or refreshing to the bodily faculties or organs; sustaining. Obsolete.† 4. Pleasing or grateful to the senses. Obsolete.† 5. † b. Satisfactory; also (colloquial) ‘tolerable’, ‘fair’, ‘pretty good’. Obsolete.
a. Strengthening or supporting (morally or spiritually); encouraging, inspiriting, reassuring, cheering. Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > [adjective] > cheering or suggestive of cheerfulness
comfortative1377
comfortive1377
cheerfula1440
comfortablec1460
cheering1549
sunny1565
sunshine1594
heartsome1596
sprightly1598
livening1605
brightening1642
exhilarating1644
encheering1652
cheery1655
spiriting1671
sunshiny1686
riant1720
sonsy1721
genial1747
cheerfulizing1840
cheer-up1846
enlivening1862
exhilarative1864
exhilarant1866
exhilaratory1871
heartening1895
c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn Prol. l. 721 His wordis been so comfortabill.
a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 2654 Seing al the gret suppris Of fois cummyng..Togiddir al his cumpany he drew, And confortable wordis to them schew.
1548 Order of Communion sig. A.iiiv The moste confortable Sacrament of the bodye and bloude of Christe.
1577 R. Holinshed Chron. II. 1640*/2 The valiant prowesse of the Englishmen encouraged with the comfortable presence of Sir William Brooke.
a1629 W. Hinde Faithfull Remonstr. (1641) xxxii. 100 With great and comfortable successe.
1713 G. Berkeley Three Dialogues Hylas & Philonous Pref. sig. A4v The comfortable Expectation of Immortality.
1740 C. Cibber Apol. Life C. Cibber i. 2 I have such comfortable Numbers on my side.
1774 E. Burke Corr. (1844) I. 497 Your last letter was not comfortable.
1869 Ld. Tennyson Coming of Arthur 267 He spake and cheer'd his Table Round With large divine and comfortable words.
b. the Comfortable Words: in some Anglican liturgies, the four scriptural passages following the Absolution in the Communion service, prefaced by ‘Hear what comfortable words’ [etc.].
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > worship > parts of service > readings after absolution > [noun]
the Comfortable Words1855
1855 F. Procter Hist. Bk. Common Prayer 324 The Comfortable Words that follow are the scriptural statements upon which the absolution is grounded.
1893 C. Whitaker Prayer Bk. 79 Comfortable Words. These are taken from Hermann's Consultation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > [adjective]
fremefulc1000
i-duȝea1250
hendyc1275
begetela1325
profitablea1325
speedful1340
worth1340
speedyc1380
behoveful1382
fructuousc1386
fruitfulc1386
vailable1390
availantc1420
availingc1420
commodious1420
commodous?1440
available1474
behovablea1475
advantageousc1485
profitly1485
beneficiala1513
advantageable1548
sanative1548
gainful1555
vantageable1570
vantageous?1572
gainy1573
comfortable1576
conducent1578
advantageous1591
bootful1594
availful1598
conducible?1611
commoditous1621
conducing1624
conduceful1635
proficuousa1642
proficaciousa1660
beneficenta1676
conducive1710
benefactory1744
benignant1791
sanatorya1832
beneficiary1836
1576 F. Thynne Let. 19 Mar. in Animaduersions (1875) p. liv The comfortable ayde of the golden sheife.
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World ii. 191 Their..Canoes, which had been so comfortable to them.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > refreshment or invigoration > [adjective]
cooling?c1425
comfortablec1440
refreshing1534
rousing1576
vegetant1576
reviving1579
refriscative1582
refrigerating1583
cordial1584
airy1591
freshing1591
animating1595
fertile1597
recreating1600
refective1611
refreshfula1614
comforting1623
refrigerant1626
erecting1654
cordialine1674
refocillating1675
corroboratinga1680
refectory1693
invigorating1694
restoring1697
freshful1734
enlivening1746–7
livelya1754
tonic1756
stimulatory1758
vivifying1768
energizing1786
stimulative1791
refreshening1807
vitalizing1813
stimulating1827
recuperative1843
invigorative1860
innerving1868
breezy1870
tonicizing1890
reparatory1893
c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Cambr.) 338 It most be wyne comfortable þat shold be yeue to the syke.
1568 W. Turner Herbal iii. 40 [Nutmegs] are..comfortable for the stomache.
1614 G. Markham Cheape & Good Husbandry (1668) i. i. 7 After you have let him blood..give him a comfortable drench.
1744 G. Berkeley Siris (ESTC T72826) §77 Cured by this comfortable cordial.
1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters iii. 264 Vapor baths..to the comfortable relief of many diseases.
1816 W. Scott Old Mortality iv, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. II. 78 The comfortable creature, which the carnal denominate brandy. [Factitious archaism.]
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > [adjective] > pleasing to the senses
lithec888
fairOE
softOE
lickerousc1275
deliciousa1325
kindlya1382
favourablea1398
kinda1398
sugared1426
feelsomea1450
agreeablec1450
comfortablec1460
favourousc1485
grateful1553
sugar candy1575
lickerish1595
savouring1595
maumy1728
tasty1796
lekker1900
c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn Prol. l. 697 Many..flouris..That lusty been, & confortabill for mannys siȝte!
1576 A. Fleming tr. Erasmus in Panoplie Epist. 340 The sweet and comfortable sounde of musicall instrumentes.
1659 O. Walker Περιαμμα Ἐπιδήμιον i. §4. 9 The comfortable blush of the approaching Morne.
1713 W. Derham Physico-theol. ii. iii. 45 The comfortable Changes of Day and Night.
a. Affording mental or spiritual delight or enjoyment; pleasant, enjoyable. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > [adjective] > pleasant or enjoyable
lustlyc1200
comfortablec1340
lustful1340
savourousa1425
good1509
relishable1605
fruitive1635
relishing1689
savouring1714
enjoyable1743
amenable1915
c1340 R. Rolle Prose Treat. i. 2 Desederabill es thi name, lufabyll and comfortabyll.
c1530 A. Barclay Egloges i. sig. Biv v Mery talkynge is greatly confortable.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms liii. 6 [I will] prayse thy name o Lorde, because it is so comfortable.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. (1682) ix. 379 My Singular good friend..whose presence to me..was exceeding Comfortable.
1749 D. Hartley Observ. Man ii. iii. 310 The Love of God, and the constant comfortable Sense of his Presence.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being satisfactory > [adjective]
wellOE
sufferablea1340
worthy1340
sufficient1489
paregala1500
competent1535
something like?1556
right1567
sweet1577
fairish1611
all right1652
fair1656
comfortable1658
decent1711
respectable1750
unrepulsive1787
decentisha1814
fair-to-middling1822
fine1828
christena1838
OK1839
tidy1844
not (or none) so dusty?1856
sweet1898
oke1928
okey-doke1934
okey-dokey1936
tickety-boo1939
cool1951
aight1993
1658 R. Allestree Pract. Christian Graces; or, Whole Duty of Man xiv. §9. 285 To enable their Pastors to give a comfortable account of their Souls.
1720 Derby Post-Man I. No. 10. 4 A large, massy Caudle Cup, a comfortable piece of Plate.
1728 C. Cibber Vanbrugh's Provok'd Husband ii. i. 32 Sir F...The Boy has a strong Head! Man Yes truly, his Skull seems to be of a comfortable thickness.
6. Affording or conveying consolation; comforting, consolatory: of persons (obsolete) or things (archaic).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > [adjective] > giving consolation or relief
comfortable1377
comforting1382
easefulc1425
solaciousc1450
unctious1477
consolativea1492
consolatorya1500
comfortful1552
recomfortable1581
cordial1584
relieving1597
comfortizing1600
balmya1616
lenifying1617
consolating?1650
easinga1665
balsamic1667
relief-ful1699
consolinga1704
assuasive1713
solacing1721
soothing1746
consolate1748
reassuring1753
alleviative1770
cheering1796
assuaging1801
sooth1819
paramuthetic1854
soothful1886
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xiv. 281 Contricioun is confortable þinge..and a solace to þe soule.
1430 J. Lydgate tr. Hist. Troy iii. xxvi Hym..That was to her..So kynde founde and so comfortable.
a1535 T. More Dialoge of Comfort (1553) ii. xvii. sig. L.iiii Let hym be pitiouse and comfortable to those that are in distresse.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II ii. ii. 76 For Gods sake speake comfortable wordes. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) i. i. 74 Be comfortable to my mother..and make much of her. View more context for this quotation
a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1959) V. 333 A despairing soule will set Gods comfortablest words, to a sad tune.
1755 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 17 Nov. (1932) (modernized text) V. 2166 If you still want comfort, Mrs. ——..may, if she will, be very comfortable.
1788 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) II. 389 It is a comfortable circumstance.
1869 E. M. Goulburn Pursuit of Holiness vii. 57 That most comfortable truth the Paternity of God.
7.
a. Affording or fitted to give tranquil enjoyment and content; attended with or ministering to comfort (see comfort n. 6). This and 10 are the ordinary current uses; and this tends to be commonly treated as a transferred or extended use of 10, a ‘comfortable house’ being thus viewed as a house in which one is comfortable; this is still more manifest in ‘comfortable circumstances’. Cf. A. 10b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > [adjective] > contenting or satisfying
payinga1500
satisfying1536
contentful1542
contenting1548
contentive1593
well-contenting1605
satiating1611
filling1626
contentsome1632
comfortable1769
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > physical comfort > [adjective] > comfortable (of conditions or way of life)
easyc1380
easefulc1425
commodiousa1528
commoditious1574
carpeta1639
large1722
snug1766
comfortable1769
liveable1794
comfy1829
featherbed-campaigner1888
rose water1889
1769 T. Gray Jrnl. 9 Oct. in Corr. (1971) III. 1100 The buildings (a few comfortable houses excepted) are mean.
1823 C. Lamb Old & New Schoolmaster in Elia 116 My companion..left me in the comfortable possession of my ignorance.
1859 ‘G. Eliot’ Adam Bede I. i. i. 14 Hitherto Gyp had kept his comfortable bed.
1878 W. S. Jevons Polit. Econ. 26 If we wish to have comfortable clothes and houses.
1891 N.E.D. at Comfortable Mod. The family was left in comfortable circumstances.
b. absol. quasi-n.
ΚΠ
1793 W. Roberts Looker-on No. 56. 442 I have seriously projected a treatise on the Comfortable.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 319 In the buildings..a happy union of the comfortable and the graceful.
II. With passive or neuter sense.† 8. passively. Capable of being comforted, consolable. Obsolete. rare.† 9. In a state of consolation; ‘of good comfort’, cheerful, cheery. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > [adjective] > capable of being
comfortable1609
relievable1626
consolable1721
1609 Bible (Douay) I. Pref. Sorow..not so much for our owne affliction, for that is comfortable, but for you.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > [adjective]
blithe971
gladOE
blithemod1065
jollya1350
well begonea1425
well-cheered1435
hearty1440
cheery1448
cheerfula1477
chereful1486
unsweera1500
cheerly1565
riant1567
hilaire1575
light-spirited1581
undistempered1589
comfortablea1593
well-humoured1600
good-humoured1604
rident1609
hoddy1664
chicket1682
mellow1711
blithesome1724
in spirits1747
winsome1787
hilarious1823
resilient1830
blithe-hearted1848
cheero1903
bucked1907
cheerio1918
a1593 H. Smith Wks. (1866–7) I. 393 Paul saith, ‘God comforteth us, that we may be able to comfort others..shewing that we cannot comfort others unless we be comfortable ourselves.’
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. vi. 9 For my sake be comfortable . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) iii. iv. 72 His comfortable temper has forsooke him. View more context for this quotation
1755 M. Delany Autobiogr. & Corr. (1861) III. 365 I despair of writing a comfortable letter while I stay at the Bath.
10.
a. In a state of tranquil enjoyment and content; free from pain and trouble; at ease. (Usually, but not always, in reference to physical conditions or circumstances.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > [adjective]
paidc1225
well-queemc1225
well-paidc1230
apaid1297
well-apaidc1300
setea1350
pleaseda1382
contentc1400
agreed1417
well-pleased1423
well begonea1425
well-contenta1438
well-contented1461
satisfied1477
contentful1542
unrepining1559
satisfied1566
sufficed1590
contented1597
undispleased1598
perfecta1616
complacential1658
in humour1673
beneplacit1678
comfortable1770
gratified1818
wishless1820
like a possum up a gum tree1840
chuffc1860
all right1882
gruntled1938
chuffed1957
the mind > emotion > pleasure > freedom from trouble, care, or sorrow > [adjective]
sorrowlessOE
carelessa1000
restful1340
clearc1374
unsada1450
undiseased?c1450
unoffendedc1450
undistroubled1466
frank1477
unvexed1485
quiet1535
secure1545
griefless1552
trouble-void1559
woeless1568
undistressed1582
tearless1603
cocksure1613
undejected1613
undisquieted1627
uncareful1635
serene1640
indisconsolatea1645
trouble-free1648
catastematic1656
thoughtless1659
incruciated1661
easy1692
undepressed1697
unsufferinga1732
ungloomed1737
solute1742
unanxious1742
undarkened1742
unsighinga1743
comfortable1770
unharassed1796
unworried1818
gloomless1820
ungroaning1821
unpestered1824
ungrieving1837
troubleless1838
unsaddened?c1840
untrespassed1854
unannoyed1865
unfretted1870
fretless1878
worriless1889
stress-free1898
unstressed1927
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > physical comfort > [adjective]
snug1630
cosy1728
comfortable1770
comfy1829
podded1889
on (also in) (the) plush1911
1770 H. Walpole Let. 1 July in Corr. (1941) X. 312 Mrs. White..has given me a good fire and some excellent coffee and bread and butter, and I am as comfortable as possible.
1811 J. Austen Sense & Sensibility I. ii. 23 Do but consider..how excessively comfortable your mother-in-law and her daughters may live. View more context for this quotation
1828 W. Scott Diary 27 Apr. in J. G. Lockhart Mem. Life Scott Let it freeze without, we are comfortable within.
1858 J. Martineau Stud. Christianity 271 [The Church] relies..on the dislike felt by the comfortable classes towards the trouble of thought and the disturbance of feeling.
1872 ‘G. Eliot’ Middlemarch II. iv. xli. 350 Here is your poor mother..you could afford something handsome now to make her comfortable.
1891 N.E.D. at Comfortable Mod. I am not or I do not feel quite comfortable about the matter.
b. Expressing or characterized by comfort; easy and tranquil; undisturbed; also colloquial of persons, suggestive of complacency, placidly self-satisfied.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > [adjective]
eveneOE
still1340
unperturbeda1450
unmovedc1480
quietful1494
lowna1500
calma1568
calmya1586
unpassionatea1586
smartless1593
reposeful1594
dispassionate1595
recollected1595
unaffectedc1595
unpassioned?1605
unpassionated1611
collecteda1616
tranquila1616
untouched1616
impassionate1621
composed1628
dispassioneda1631
tranquillous1638
slow1639
serene1640
dispassionated1647
imperturbed1652
unruffled1654
reposing1655
equanimous1656
perplacid1660
placate1662
equal1680
collect1682
cooled1682
posed1693
sedate1693
impassive1699
uninflamed1714
unexcited1735
unalarmed1756
unfanned1764
unagitated1772
undistraught1773
recollected1792
equable1796
unfussy1823
take-it-easy1825
unflurried1854
cool1855
comfortable1856
disimpassioned1860
tremorless1869
unpressured1879
unrippled1883
ice-cool1891
unrattled1891
Zen-likea1908
unrestless1919
steadyish1924
ataractic1941
relaxed1958
nonplussed1960
loose1968
Zenned-out1968
downtempo1972
mellowed1977
de-stressed1999
the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > self-satisfaction > [adjective]
smug1551
fat1598
self-contented1631
self-pleased1633
self-satisfied1653
self-contenta1656
self-complacent1736
self-gratulating1755
complacent1767
well1773
self-congratulatory1798
comfortable1856
paddy1865
Podsnappian1866
cosy1927
1856 J. H. Newman Callista 48 There's Bacchus: he's a good, comfortable god, though a sly, treacherous fellow.
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iv. xii. 261 ‘Why argue?’ returned Mr. Inspector in a comfortable sort of remonstrance.
1871 ‘G. Eliot’ Middlemarch (1872) I. i. v. 74 ‘Go to bed soon’, said Celia, in a comfortable way, without any touch of pathos.
1878 R. H. Hutton Scott i. 5 A motherly comfortable woman.
B. n.† 1. That which gives comfort; plural comforts (see comfort n. 5c, 7). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > physical comfort > [noun] > material comfort(s)
ease1393
creature1540
creature comforts1641
comfortable1650
comfort1659
convenience1673
conveniency1712
home comfort1797
comforter1837
the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > [noun] > act, means, or source of consolation or relief > one who or that which consoles or relieves
comfortera1382
discharger?1537
consolatora1540
assuager1547
cheerer?1567
easera1592
tame-grief1606
lightener?1611
solacer1611
lenitive1614
swager1617
allayer1631
unbender1637
comfortable1650
alleviator1725
consoler1740
soother1780
reassurer1882
a shoulder to cry on1935
1650 O. Sedgwick Χριστος και Κερδος 22 Whatsoever the Christian finds in Himself..for the Habituals of Grace..and..for the Comfortables of Grace.
1675 T. Brooks Paradice Opened 62 The returning Prodigal hath Garments, and Ornaments, and necessaries, and comfortables.
1786 M. Cutler Let. 25 July in W. P. Cutler & J. P. Cutler Life, Jrnls. & Corr. M. Cutler (1888) II. 247 He..proposes to provide well in comfortables for the journey.
2.
a. A worsted covering for the wrist.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for arms > [noun] > covering for wrist > protector > woollen or knitted covering
muffetee1748
comfortable1822
wristikin1826
wristlet1869
wrister1879
1822 M. Edgeworth Frank: Sequel II. 11 Knitting..a pair of scarlet worsted cuffs, or bracelets, by some called wristlets, by others comfortables.
b. A long woollen scarf worn round the neck in cold weather; = comforter n. 6.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > neck-wear > [noun] > scarf or wrap > as protection from cold
muffler1594
comforter1823
scarf1823
neck shawl1828
comfortable1835
neck warmer1852
neck-comforter1853
muffeteea1890
1835 J. Ross Narr. Second Voy. North-west Passage iii. 3/2 A blue jacket and trousers, a flannel shirt, a comfortable.
1839 Lady Lytton Cheveley (ed. 2) III. i. 11 Their face half hid in green worsted comfortables.
c. U.S. A quilted bed-covering; a down quilt; = comfort n. 8.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > household linen > bedclothes > [noun] > outer cover > quilt
quilt1276
pourpoint1345
bed-quilt1765
razai1784
bed-cover1828
comforter1832
comfort1834
comfortable1842
yorgan1914
downie1947
1842 in J. S. Buckingham E. & W. States Amer. III. 434 Still Mr. Van Buren was not content; he longed for the ‘Turkish divan’ and the ‘French comfortable’.
1847 Ann. Rep. Commissioner Patents 1846 35 in U.S. Congress. Serial Set (29th Congr., 2nd Sess.: House of Representatives Executive Doc. 52) III [Cotton] has already been employed in what are variously called ‘comforts’ and ‘comfortables’.
1856 S. Robinson Kansas 28 I..slept on comfortables and buffalo-robes on the floor in the attic.
1864 Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Comfortable, a..stuffed or quilted coverlet for a bed; a comforter; a comfort. (U.S.)
1870 A. D. T. Whitney We Girls vii. 123 Ruth brought some pillows and comfortables,..made up a couch..on the box-sofa.
1945 L. R. Tryon Poor Man's Doctor 96 I threw back most of the voluminous quilts, comfortables and sheets.
Compounds
comfortable-looking adj.
ΚΠ
1875 W. McIlwraith Guide Wigtownshire 48 Comfortable-looking two-storey houses.
Draft additions 1993
comfortable margin, one great enough to rule out any challenge or doubt. Also transferred of a victory or the winner.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > [noun] > winning > degree of
comfortable margin1934
1934 Esquire Feb. 96/2 This still leaves a comfortable margin of popular acclaim for the boys who couldn't read it but who..knew how to swing it.
1964 Observer 28 June 8/5 The cost of carrying goods by liner trains will be so much less than by heavy lorries..that he should be able to undercut the roads by a comfortable margin.
1978 Dumfries Courier 20 Oct. 5/1 Lochar Amateurs, with a comfortable 5–2 win over Abbey Vale, regained the top spot.
1980 N.Y. Times 12 Oct. ii. 21/2 He has enjoyed comfortable margins of victory in every race since 1964.
1986 Lydney Observer 12 Sept. 2/6 Sunday's game was a more lively affair, Berry Hill running out comfortable winners.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.c1340