comfort food

noun

: food prepared in a traditional style having a usually nostalgic or sentimental appeal

Examples of comfort food in a Sentence

Pot roast and fried chicken are my favorite comfort foods. a restaurant that serves comfort food
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Earlier work has similarly shown that loneliness increases consumers’ interest in nostalgic products and comfort foods associated with close relationships. — Jeff Galak, The Conversation, 31 July 2026 Pinky’s puts a creative spin on American comfort food with a menu centered on burgers, sandwiches and other casual favorites. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026 Kids who participated in The Art Center of Ramona’s Summer Art Camp for Kids created the artwork that was inspired by animals, kids’ favorite comfort food and making faces through painting, said Marsha Cook, one of the four art camp instructors. — Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2026 The Larchmont restaurant is named for Rosenthal’s parents and has earned raves — and inspired long lines — for its comfort food and warm atmosphere. — Brent Lang, Variety, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for comfort food

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of comfort food was in 1958

Rhymes for comfort food

See All Rhymes for comfort food

Browse Nearby Words

comforter
comfort food
comfortful
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Comfort food.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comfort%20food. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All