c-o-m-f-o-r-t
COMFORT is a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint, as well as the emotional consolation provided in times of distress. This warm, essential word captures both material well-being and human compassion.
14
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
COMFORT encompasses both physical and emotional dimensions of human well-being. As a noun, it represents a state of ease and satisfaction—the comfort of a warm bed, a familiar routine, or financial security. As a verb, it means to console, soothe, or reassure someone experiencing pain or distress.
Physical comfort involves the absence of pain, stress, or hardship. We seek comfort in soft chairs, climate-controlled rooms, and well-fitting shoes. This basic human need drives innovation in everything from mattress technology to ergonomic design. The comfort industry—furniture, clothing, hospitality—represents billions in global commerce.
Emotional comfort runs deeper. To comfort someone is to offer solace, understanding, and support during difficult times. This act of compassion—whether through words, presence, or touch—represents humanity at its best. Comfort food, comfort objects, and comfort zones all speak to our psychological need for security and familiarity.
The concept of comfort also raises important questions. When does comfort become complacency? The "comfort zone" can be both a place of rest and a prison of stagnation. Many philosophies and religions wrestle with the role of comfort in human life, often advocating for temporary discomfort in service of growth.
In Scrabble, COMFORT is a solid 7-letter play worth decent points. The F (4 points) provides the highest individual value, while the word's common letters make it relatively easy to form from a random rack, potentially earning the 50-point bingo bonus.
COMFORT comes from the Old French "confort," derived from the Latin "confortare," meaning "to strengthen greatly." The Latin breaks down into "con-" (together, with intensity) + "fortis" (strong).
Originally, comfort meant "strengthening" or "encouragement" rather than physical ease. Medieval texts speak of spiritual comfort—God's strengthening of the soul. This sense survives in "comforter" as a name for the Holy Spirit.
The shift from "strengthen" to "console" occurred in the 13th century, while the sense of physical ease emerged in the 14th century. This evolution reflects changing cultural values, as material comfort became increasingly attainable and valued.
Related words include "fort" (stronghold), "fortify" (make strong), "force" (strength), and "effort" (putting forth strength), all sharing the Latin root "fortis."
•"Comfort food" as a term first appeared in 1966, but the concept is ancient—every culture has dishes that provide emotional comfort, from Jewish chicken soup to Japanese ochazuke (tea over rice)
•The "comfort zone" concept comes from a 1908 psychology experiment showing that optimal performance requires a state of relative anxiety—too much comfort actually decreases productivity
•In Scrabble, COMFORT can form useful shorter words like FORT, FORM, and FROM, making it excellent for tight board situations where you need to work around existing tiles
"The hotel prided itself on providing every comfort to ensure guests felt at home."
"After the long hike, the comfort of the soft couch was absolutely heavenly."
"She knew exactly how to comfort her friend during the difficult time."
"Sometimes the greatest comfort comes from simply being present with someone."
"Playing COMFORT across two double word scores, I earned 86 points including the bingo bonus!"
Ergonomics, temperature, softness, rest
Security, familiarity, companionship, understanding
Financial security, possessions, conveniences
Faith, meaning, purpose, inner peace
Comfort occupies a complex place in human experience. While we naturally seek comfort and work to provide it for others, many philosophical and spiritual traditions warn against its excess. The Stoics taught that too much comfort weakens character, while Buddhism identifies attachment to comfort as a source of suffering.
Modern psychology recognizes both the necessity and danger of comfort. We need basic comfort for health and functioning, yet growth often requires stepping outside our comfort zones. The most fulfilling lives seem to balance periods of comfort with challenges that stretch our capabilities.
Perhaps true comfort lies not in perpetual ease but in resilience—the confidence that we can handle discomfort when necessary. This deeper comfort, rooted in inner strength rather than external conditions, offers security that no amount of physical comfort can match.
Total base points: 14 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 2 | Consonants: 5
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like COMFORT