comfortably

Everyday

1. In a way that feels relaxed and free from pain or worry: «sitting comfortably». tree →
2. Easily, with plenty to spare: «They won comfortably». tree →
3. With enough money to live well: «They live comfortably». tree →

In the lessons

In stories and storytime «Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin» is a famous British opening. In sport reports «won comfortably» means by a big margin. In maths word problems «comfortably fits» means there is room left over. In everyday talk about money «comfortably off» means not rich but with no money worries. Phrases: «sit comfortably», «comfortably off», «win comfortably», «fit comfortably».

Examples

• Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin. tree →
• The cat curled up comfortably on the sofa. tree →
• Our team won comfortably, five goals to one. tree →
• Twenty children fit comfortably in the minibus. tree →
• My grandparents are comfortably off since they retired. tree →
• The patient was resting comfortably after the operation. tree →
• The box comfortably holds all our books with room to spare. tree →
• So said, so done, and both slept very comfortably. tree →

Note

Usually said in three syllables: «KUMF-ta-blee». Spelled with «-ably», not «-ibly». Comes from the adjective «comfortable». In maths, «comfortably more than» means clearly and easily more, not only just.