comforting
/ˈkʌm.fɚ.tɪŋ/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: comfortings
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Giving comfort, especially in the sense of soothing distress.
Adjective
Examples
Your comforting words help ease my mind.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
The act of giving comfort.
Noun
Examples
Intrenched within the citadel of our apartment, and cheered by the comfortings of a coal fire, we passed the day in letter-writing, conversation, or gazing from the sheltered security of our windows upon the agitated sea[…]
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “comforting” mean?
Giving comfort, especially in the sense of soothing distress.
Is “comforting” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.