comfortably off

USAGE SUMMARY

"comfortably off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is financially secure and comfortable, usually to a degree that is superior to most people. For example, "Although they are not wealthy, their family is comfortably off, and they don't have to worry about money too much."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

We're just comfortably off".

The Guardian - Sport

Well off, comfortably off, struggling.

The Guardian

He's very comfortably off with about $50m in the bank.

The Guardian - Sport

At midcentury, New Yorkers who were comfortably off, but not rich, often lived in row houses.

The New York Times

The perspective has a strange, uplifting charm to the comfortably off.

Independent

(I was living at home, and my parents were both successful; we were comfortably off).

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

But Sandy preferred not to play the comfortably-off game.

Independent

Bess of Hardwick was a local girl, daughter of a comfortably-off but ordinary squire.

The Guardian - Travel

Taken together, then, the picture of a comfortably-off old and a striving, often struggling, young holds good.

Independent

Drummer Stephen Morris had a jazzy, educated style and comfortably-off parents with "a koi-carp pond".

The Guardian - Books

Born in Texas, where his comfortably-off family settled in the 1830s, he relocated to New Mexico aged 11.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comfortably off" to describe someone who is financially secure and enjoys a reasonable level of material comfort, without necessarily being extremely wealthy. It's a nuanced way to portray financial well-being.

Common error

Avoid using "comfortably off" to describe someone who is extremely rich. The phrase suggests a moderate level of wealth, enough to live without financial stress, but not necessarily extravagant wealth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comfortably off" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's financial status. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term is correct and appropriate in the English language, as evidenced by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

14%

Books

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "comfortably off" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a state of financial security without extreme wealth. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Its primary function is adjectival, serving to modify nouns and pronouns to indicate financial well-being. It maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse contexts such as news, books, and academic writing. While very common in News & Media, it appears less frequently in more specialized areas. Synonyms like "financially secure" or "well-to-do" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Remember to use this expression only when you want to describe a moderate level of financial comfort not extreme richness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in comfortable circumstances

Similar to the original phrase, but with a slight shift in emphasis.

financially secure

Directly describes the state of having enough money to meet one's needs without worry.

doing well financially

Focuses on the current state of financial success and progress.

well-to-do

Indicates a state of wealth and prosperity, often implying a higher level of affluence than "comfortably off".

in easy circumstances

Implies a life free from financial hardship, with a focus on ease and comfort.

affluent

Suggests a considerable level of wealth and material comfort.

prosperous

Emphasizes success and financial well-being.

well-heeled

Informal term indicating wealth, often suggesting a fashionable or upper-class lifestyle.

wealthy

A more general term for having a lot of money.

able to make ends meet

Suggests the ability to cover expenses without difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "comfortably off" in a sentence?

You can use "comfortably off" to describe someone who is financially secure and enjoys a reasonable standard of living. For example, "Although they weren't millionaires, they were "comfortably off" and didn't have to worry about money."

What are some synonyms for "comfortably off"?

Alternatives to "comfortably off" include "financially secure", "well-to-do", or "affluent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "comfortably off" a formal or informal expression?

"Comfortably off" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It avoids the extremes of overly technical or slangy language.

What's the difference between "comfortably off" and "wealthy"?

"Wealthy" implies a high degree of riches, while "comfortably off" suggests a more moderate level of financial security. Someone who is "comfortably off" can meet their needs and enjoy some luxuries, but they might not possess vast amounts of capital or property like someone who is wealthy.