Comfort means feeling physically relaxed and free from pain or worry. When you sink into a soft chair after a long day, or when you're warm under blankets on a cold night, you're experiencing comfort. A comfortable pair of shoes doesn't pinch or rub. A comfortable room has the right temperature and pleasant lighting.

The word also describes the feeling of emotional ease and security. You might feel comfort when a friend listens to your problems, or when a parent reassures you before a difficult test. To comfort someone means to make them feel better when they're upset or scared, perhaps by offering kind words or just sitting with them quietly.

Creature comforts are the small physical pleasures that make life more pleasant: a hot meal, a cozy bed, or your favorite sweatshirt. People sometimes talk about stepping outside your comfort zone, meaning doing something that feels unfamiliar or scary. That's because comfort, while pleasant, can also keep us from trying new things. The gymnast who practices a difficult new move or the student who raises their hand despite feeling nervous are both leaving their comfort zones to grow and improve.