Is comfort food formal or informal?

It is neutral and common in everyday English. It is also fine in writing about food and lifestyle.

What is the difference between comfort food and junk food?

Comfort food is about emotional comfort. Junk food is about low nutritional value, not comfort.

Can comfort food be healthy?

Yes. Comfort food can be healthy if it still feels warm, familiar, and satisfying.

← Dictionary

comfort-food

/ˈkʌm.fət fuːd/

IELTSAcademic

noun

Comfort food is food that makes you feel calm, happy, or safe, especially when you are sad, stressed, or homesick.

Ice cream is my comfort food.
She cooked comfort food after a hard day.
On rainy days, I want comfort food.

Adinary Nuance

Comfort food is not just food you like. It is food you turn to for emotional comfort, often because it feels familiar. It is different from favourite food, which may be delicious but not soothing. It is also different from junk food, which describes unhealthy food, not the feeling it gives.

In other languages

Vietnamese: Món ăn an ủi
Spanish: Comida reconfortante
Chinese: 安慰食物
Japanese: 心の安らぐ食べ物
Korean: 위안 음식

Etymology

The phrase comfort food appeared in English in the mid-20th century. It combines comfort and food to describe food that gives emotional comfort.

Common phrases

classic comfort fooda bowl of comfort foodcomfort food after workcomfort food for a rainy day

Synonyms

comforting food home cooking familiar food

Related words

nostalgia cuisine snack indulgence

Frequently asked questions

Is comfort food formal or informal?: It is neutral and common in everyday English. It is also fine in writing about food and lifestyle.
What is the difference between comfort food and junk food?: Comfort food is about emotional comfort. Junk food is about low nutritional value, not comfort.
Can comfort food be healthy?: Yes. Comfort food can be healthy if it still feels warm, familiar, and satisfying.