Origin: Latin suffix -able
Comfortable has 7 different meanings across 1 category:
A stuffed or quilted coverlet for a bed; a comforter.
"She pulled her new, fluffy comfortable over the cold draft coming from the window before turning off the lamp."
In plain English: A comfortable is a person who feels safe and at ease in their own skin.
"She took her old, comfortable coat from the hook."
Usage: Do not use "comfortable" as a noun to refer to a bed covering; instead, use the correct noun "comforter." The word comfortable remains an adjective describing how something feels or how one is feeling.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (`comfy' is informal)
"comfortable clothes"
"comfortable suburban houses"
"made himself comfortable in an armchair"
"the antihistamine made her feel more comfortable"
"are you comfortable?"
"feeling comfy now?"
free from stress or conducive to mental ease; having or affording peace of mind
"was settled in a comfortable job, one for which he was well prepared"
"the comfortable thought that nothing could go wrong"
"was comfortable in his religious beliefs"
"she's a comfortable person to be with"
"she felt comfortable with her fiance's parents"
in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich
"they were comfortable or even wealthy by some standards"
"easy living"
"a prosperous family"
"his family is well-situated financially"
"well-to-do members of the community"
Providing physical comfort and ease; agreeable.
"The plush armchair provided such comfortable support that I forgot all about my busy afternoon."
In plain English: Feeling relaxed and free from pain or worry.
"The soft armchair made me feel very comfortable after a long day at work."
Usage: Use comfortable to describe something that feels pleasant and causes no physical pain or strain, such as a soft chair or warm clothes. Avoid using it to mean wealthy or financially secure, which is the specific meaning of the related word "comfortable" in older usage but rarely intended today.
The word comes from the Old French conforter via Middle English and originally meant to strengthen or support someone physically. While it is formed by adding "-able" to "comfort," its history traces back to a root meaning of providing fortitude rather than just physical ease.