relief
/rɪˈliːf/ IELTSAcademic
noun
- 1.
A feeling of calm after fear, worry, pain, or stress has ended or become smaller.
- I felt relief when the test was over.
- Her call brought instant relief.
- 2.
Something that reduces pain, worry, or discomfort.
- This medicine gives quick relief.
- The rain was a relief after the heat.
- 3.
Help given to people who need food, money, or safety after a problem or disaster.
- The charity sent relief to the flood victims.
- Emergency relief arrived that night.
Adinary Nuance
Relief is the feeling after something bad stops, so it is not the same as peace or comfort. Compared with comfort, relief usually follows pain, fear, or stress. Compared with happiness, it is smaller and more specific: you are glad the problem is gone. Writers choose relief when they want to show that pressure has been removed.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sự nhẹ nhõm
- Spanish
- alivio
- Chinese
- 缓解
- Japanese
- 安堵
- Korean
- 안도
Etymology
Relief came into English from Old French in the 1300s, from a Latin word meaning 'raise again' or 'lighten'. The idea of lightening a burden still shapes the word today.
Common phrases
a sigh of reliefmuch to someone's relieffeel reliefrelief from pain
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is relief a feeling or a thing?
- It can be both. It often means a feeling after worry ends, or something that reduces pain or stress.
- What is the difference between relief and comfort?
- Relief is the end of discomfort or worry. Comfort is a pleasant, calm feeling that may continue longer.
- Can I say 'I am in relief'?
- No. Say 'I feel relief' or 'I felt relieved' instead.
- Is relief common in business or academic writing?
- Yes. It is common in both, especially in phrases like 'relief measures' or 'much to our relief'.