comfortable English · revision 5172

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1340|origins=xno confortable}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈkʌmf.tə.bəl/, US /ˈkʌmp.fɚ.t̬ə.bəl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|comfortable]], confortable,^(MWU 2024) [[bor|xno|confortable|t=comforting; pleasant, agreeable]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) from [[m|fro|conforter|t=to comfort, solace]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) the source of the verb [[comfort]], with the suffix [[-able]].^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “Affording mental or spiritual comfort or delight”: the mid-14th century, about 1340 in the OED.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The word was first active, “giving comfort”: pleasant to the senses (about 1400),^(OED 1989) strengthening or reassuring, and consoling, comforting.^(SOED 2002) These survive only in phrases such as the ''Comfortable Words'', the scriptural passages after the absolution in some Anglican communion services.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002) Johnson (1755) still gave “receiving comfort” and “admitting comfort”, as in Shakespeare.^(Johnson 1755) The modern sense, “offering physical ease”, is from 1769,^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) and “at ease, in a state of tranquil enjoyment” from 1770.^(Etymonline) A comfortable income, enough to live without hardship, belongs to the first group, which the Shorter Oxford dates from the mid-18th century,^(SOED 2002) and a comfortable margin or victory, won with ease, is from the mid-20th century.^(SOED 2002) In northern and western dialects it also meant agreeable, obliging.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1340 – affording spiritual delight.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1400 – pleasing to the senses.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1769 – offering physical ease.^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1770 – at ease.^(Etymonline)

+ * mid-20th century – of a margin or victory.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Giving physical [[comfort]]: ''a comfortable chair''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Free from pain, stress or anxiety; at [[ease]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Enough for financial security: ''a comfortable income''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Large enough to avoid any doubt: ''a comfortable lead''.^(SOED 2002)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[comfortableness]]

+ * [[comfortably]]

+ * [[supercomfortable]]

+ * [[comfy]]

+ * [[uncomfortable]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[comforter]]

+ * [[discomfort]]

+ * [[comfort]]

+ * [[fort]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage distinguishes comfortable, the absence of anything that causes pain or distress, from cozy, snug and restful.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}