the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
"as he heard the news he was suddenly flooded with relief"
(law) redress awarded by a court
"was the relief supposed to be protection from future harm or compensation for past injury?"
someone who takes the place of another (as when things get dangerous or difficult)
"the star had a stand-in for dangerous scenes"
"we need extra employees for summer fill-ins"
assistance in time of difficulty
"the contributions provided some relief for the victims"
a pause for relaxation
"people actually accomplish more when they take time for short rests"
a change for the better
"The sudden break in the storm brought an immediate relief to the exhausted hikers waiting on the ridge."
the act of reducing something unpleasant (as pain or annoyance)
"he asked the nurse for relief from the constant pain"
sculpture consisting of shapes carved on a surface so as to stand out from the surrounding background
"The ancient temple featured intricate relief carvings depicting scenes of daily life and mythology."
the act of freeing a city or town that has been besieged
"he asked for troops for the relief of Atlanta"
The removal of stress or discomfort.
"The museum curator explained that the ancient Greek statue was carved as a relief, where the figures stood out against the stone wall but did not detach completely."
A type of sculpture or other artwork in which shapes or figures protrude from a flat background.
In plain English: Relief is the feeling of happiness when something bad stops happening or a problem gets solved.
"The team felt a great sense of relief when they finally heard that their parents were safe."
Characterized by surface inequalities.
"The artist studied the rough relief of the ancient map to understand how erosion had shaped the terrain over centuries."
In plain English: Relief describes how you feel when something bad stops happening and things get better.
"The relief worker felt better after seeing the food arrive."
Usage: Use this adjective to describe surfaces that are uneven or textured, such as rough terrain or wrinkled fabric. It specifically refers to physical irregularities rather than emotional comfort or financial aid.
The word relief entered English from the Old French term relief, which originally meant "assistance." It traces its roots back to the Latin verb relevare, meaning "to raise up" or "make light."