1(especially of clothes or furnishings) providing physical ease and relaxation.

1. 1.1 (of a person) physically relaxed and free from constraint.
   he would not be comfortable in any other clothes

   Example sentencesExamples

   • He could mix it physically in games if needed but he was most comfortable when given the space and capacity to show his full range of passes and sublime skills.
   • I'm quite comfortable where I am - it's the lack of a TV that's my concern.
   • He actually used the Cruz stance in 1999 when his bat felt slow, but he was not comfortable at first.
   • You are immediately comfortable, and it is very easy to drive.

   Synonyms

   loose, loose-fitting, casual, roomy, soft, slouchy

   informal comfy
2. 1.2 (of a hospital patient) not in pain or in danger.
   he was said to be comfortable in the West Highland Hospital

   Example sentencesExamples

   • The injured man was yesterday said to be comfortable in Kerry General Hospital in Tralee.
   • For example writing down, ‘patient had a comfortable night and was in no pain’ was no way near acceptable.
   • These treatments are aimed at making the patient more comfortable.
   • Patients were much more comfortable and recovered faster after disc replacement than after fusion.
   • He tried to move and make himself more comfortable, but the pain worsened and he lay back down, sparks flying behind his eyes.
   • Fellow staff witnessed her telling doctors that seemingly comfortable patients were in pain, prompting them to prescribe morphine.
   • The injured woman is his daughter and is said to be comfortable in hospital today.
   • In addition there were doctors and members of the Vatican Press Office, all making sure that that he was comfortable and that the world was being informed of his state of health.
   • Patients should be comfortable whatever their position.
   • One girl remained in a comfortable condition in hospital yesterday.
   • All three, who come from Pickering, were suffering abdominal and lower back pains, but were comfortable and stable in hospital today.
   • He said that since the tragedy ‘every effort’ had been made to ensure she was comfortable.
   • It ensures the patient is comfortable, manages pain and may offer the patient some emotional support.
   • School staff administered first aid at the scene, but paramedics soon arrived to make Greg more comfortable and give him pain relief.
   • He kept wanting to go to sleep, so I just made sure I kept talking to him and that he was comfortable.
   • Obviously there are terminal patients who are comfortable and want to make the best of their final years, so fair play to them.
   • His wife suffered serious injuries and is comfortable in York District Hospital.
   • Clearly, hospitals have come along way in many instances of making patients more comfortable.
   • I have had requests for morphine from hospice staff when the patient seems quite comfortable and in no distress.
   • The situation is so dire that staff can't provide the most basic items to ensure people are comfortable.
3. 1.3 Free from stress or tension.
   they appear very comfortable in each other's company

   few of us are comfortable with confrontations

   Example sentencesExamples

   • People aren't comfortable in that environment; they want to have a say.
   • Of course, some people are more comfortable talking about themselves than others and the degree of comfort is often revealing.
   • The other volunteers made a big effort to show me the ropes and I was comfortable in no time at all.
   • If you're not comfortable doing something, people can always see through it.
   • How did you get to the point where you were comfortable expressing personal, painful feelings in your work?
   • The cookies did look very good, but she wasn't comfortable enough to accept free cookies yet.
   • People are comfortable reporting errors if they believe management is listening.
   • She would only go into the University to study in the evening because she was not comfortable being around people.
   • Many women find that, to varying degrees, most people are not comfortable discussing loss.
   • It's just not something with which most people are comfortable.
   • It is their pride and joy and to witness the detail around their house, it is easy to understand why they are so comfortable at this beautiful spot.
   • The baby seemed to study Jane, and Jane was not comfortable under the steady, serious-looking gaze.
   • You're only comfortable when there are people around who you think you can impress, and it takes a damn sight more than your tired old rackets to impress this bunch.
   • Physically, we are not comfortable in the face of ceaseless persecution.
   • As much as her friends drove her crazy, they were the people she was most comfortable around.
   • Yet it's also one that many people aren't comfortable talking about.
   • Things were wrong, and I was always sad, but I wasn't comfortable knowing that people recognized this.
   • She said she wanted to feel whether they'd be comfortable with each other.
   • Because we've become such an open society, people are more comfortable expressing their heritage.
   • This product will allow consumer data to be collected in an environment people are comfortable in - their own homes.

   Synonyms

   at ease, at one's ease, relaxed, reassured, confident, secure, safe, serene, tranquil, unworried, contented, happy
4. 1.4 Free from financial worry; having an adequate standard of living.
   the Rector enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle with plenty of servants

   Example sentencesExamples

   • I am glad you and your husband make a comfortable living at a ski resort.
   • The family, though not wealthy, was financially comfortable by Dominican standards.
   • I mean, you're so comfortable now, you've got all you'll ever need, you've got the desk and the broadcast.
   • It is not highly stratified economically; most people have a similarly comfortable standard of living.
   • Instead of a comfortable retirement, a financial desert loomed.
   • The guy in question works for a New York tabloid, making a comfortable living and aspiring to little else.
   • It made him financially comfortable enough to afford a villa at gorgeously scenic Boppard on the Rhine Gorge.
   • His career as Admiral and Governor was consumed with never-ending anxiety to secure a comfortable living.
   • With technology, it would be easy for a family of five to earn a comfortable living.
   • It's not as though I don't make a comfortable living, because I do, but I have rather extravagant tastes.
   • Standards of living can be very comfortable for those who can get good jobs.
   • I recently asked a skilled worker, who enjoys a fairly comfortable standard of living, how he would be affected by a prolonged layoff.
   • At no point in my life so far have I or anyone in my family ever been rich, or even remotely comfortable financially.
   • The inevitable growth of globalisation means that if we are to maintain our very comfortable standard of living we need to work smarter than others.
   • He said he hopes to make a comfortable living from acting - that's his burning ambition.
   • His arrival made him more comfortable financially, but he's leaving.
   • To make ‘a comfortable living’, you have to write two to three books a year.
   • Despite being very comfortable by Zambian standards, he is a man who does not spend his money carelessly and he is on a salary just like his wife and his workers.
   • The band are now all approaching 40 and earn a comfortable living from their royalties.
   • This has had a dramatic affect on the lives of average golf players who now seem to be able to make a comfortable living from their season.

   Synonyms

   pleasant, free from hardship, well off, well-to-do, affluent, luxurious, gracious, opulent, elegant

2As large as is needed or wanted.

1. 2.1 With a wide margin.
   a comfortable victory

   Example sentencesExamples

   • In the end the margin of victory was comfortable enough, but for the departing Bangladeshis, it was very much their day.
   • But a strong second half display saw the home side pull well clear and emerge comfortable victors at the end.
   • When the money was counted the following day, the organisers realised that the total had exceeded £10,000 by a comfortable margin.
   • They had demonstrated their talent and skills in their next four league fixtures which they had won with comfortable margins.
   • Winning the Varsity matches, and in reasonably comfortable fashion, is cause for celebration.

A warm quilt.