Etymology Map
Back to all words

Comfort

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a state of ease; consolation in grief

Where does the word "comfort" come from? It comes from Latin confortare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
confortare
Latin · ancient
"to strengthen greatly"
'com-', intensive, plus 'fortis', strong
2
Stage 2 of 3
conforter
Old French · medieval
"to strengthen, console"
meant giving courage and support, not physical ease
3
Stage 3 of 3
comfort
English · 1200s
"consolation"
the sense of physical ease arose in the 1700s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Comfort’s story begins in Latin: confortare meant “to strengthen greatly.” 'com-', intensive, plus 'fortis', strong. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as conforter. Meant giving courage and support, not physical ease. It reached English by 1200s as comfort. The sense of physical ease arose in the 1700s. Today, comfort means a state of ease; consolation in grief.