comfortable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "comfortable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe physical or emotional comfort. For example, "The warm fire made us feel comfortable as we huddled together during the cold winter storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These are not comfortable questions for most of us.

The Guardian

Sleep came easily that night in our comfortable beds with Egyptian cotton sheets, two to an en-suite tent, lulled by the sound of the waves lapping on the beach below.

The Guardian - Travel

During a recent trip to South Africa, as a finalist in the Guardian International Development Journalism competition, I realised my disfigurement could have been a potential barrier when interviewing case studies in the townships; I had to make the interviewees feel comfortable looking at my face.

The Guardian

"People are increasingly asking 'is my money having an impact?"says David Kane, senior research officer at NCVO. "I think [charities are] being challenged, more so than in the past, to make sure people are comfortable with how their donations are spent".

The Guardian

That is very English, I think.' She likes the English and feels comfortable with them, unlike in Los Angeles, where she does not really feel a part of things.

The Guardian - Film

When asked why he didn't get more concessions out of Bush, Blair said 'I actually agreed with him.' That's Clegg's problem, he's very comfortable with most of this stuff.

The Guardian

A narrow win for Bayern Munich on the night – and a comfortable Barcelona victory overall – was just reward for Luis Enrique's team, who were again wonderfully supple and incisive in attack when it mattered.

The Guardian - Sport

The majority were "comfortable pragmatists" while a minority were "uncommitted security seekers".

The Guardian

I wanted to get back to the type of films that I feel comfortable making, and that I think have some kind of social worth.

The Guardian - Film

But as I heard all this, I couldn't help thinking of how comfortable it is, in a way, for most of us in the west to look at the catastrophe in the Middle East and take the fatalistic view that events have taken on a momentum that is beyond our influence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Comprising three once grand houses, and furnished with antique mirrors, desks, cabinets, clocks, statues, lamps and paintings, it's like an underfunded museum with comfortable beds.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To describe a person's emotional state, consider using "comfortable with" to indicate a feeling of ease or acceptance. For example, "I am comfortable with the decision."

Common error

Avoid using "comfortable" as a verb. Instead, use verbs like "comfort" or phrases like "make comfortable". Incorrect: "The blanket comfortabled the baby." Correct: "The blanket made the baby comfortable."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "comfortable" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of physical or emotional ease. As Ludwig AI explains, it is usable in written English for describing both physical and emotional comfort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "comfortable" is a versatile adjective widely used to describe a state of physical or emotional ease. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical usage is correct. It commonly appears in News & Media contexts, reflecting a neutral register. While alternatives like "at ease" or "cozy" offer nuanced meanings, "comfortable" remains a frequent and reliable choice for expressing a sense of well-being. Remember, avoid using "comfortable" as a verb and ensure it modifies a noun appropriately. The examples found by Ludwig demonstrate its ubiquitous usage in diverse scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at ease

Focuses more on the feeling of relaxation and lack of stress.

relaxed

Emphasizes a state of calmness and freedom from tension.

cozy

Highlights warmth and a sense of intimacy or snugness.

content

Stresses satisfaction and a sense of well-being.

snug

Implies a sense of being well-protected and sheltered.

affluent

Shifts the focus to financial security and ease.

prosperous

Emphasizes success and material well-being.

well-off

Indicates a state of financial advantage.

easy

Focuses on lack of difficulty or effort

agreeable

Focuses on pleasing or acceptable conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "comfortable" in a sentence?

You can use "comfortable" to describe a physical feeling (e.g., "This sofa is very comfortable") or an emotional state (e.g., "I feel comfortable talking to you").

What can I say instead of "comfortable"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "at ease", "relaxed", or "cozy".

Which is correct: "I am comfortable" or "I feel comfortable"?

Both are correct, but "I feel comfortable" emphasizes the emotional state more explicitly. "I am comfortable" can imply both physical and emotional comfort.

What's the difference between "comfortable" and "comforting"?

"Comfortable" describes the state of being at ease, while "comforting" describes something that provides comfort. For example, "This blanket is comfortable" versus "This blanket is comforting".