Cold Comfort

Pronunciation: /koʊld ˈkʌmfərt/

Definitions of cold comfort

noun a disappointing or inadequate consolation or reassurance

Example Sentences

A1 Having to cancel our plans due to rain was cold comfort.

A2 Receiving a small refund for the inconvenience was cold comfort.

B1 Knowing that at least we tried our best was cold comfort in the face of defeat.

B2 The apology from the company was cold comfort after the damage caused by their mistake.

C1 The reassurance from a friend was cold comfort during a difficult time.

C2 The recognition of our hard work was cold comfort compared to the lack of support from our colleagues.

Examples of cold comfort in a Sentence

formal The apology was cold comfort to the victims of the crime.

informal Getting an apology now is cold comfort after all that has happened.

slang Sorry won't cut it, it's just cold comfort.

figurative His success in the competition was cold comfort for the recent loss of his job.

Grammatical Forms of cold comfort

• plural: cold comforts
• comparative: colder comfort
• superlative: coldest comfort
• present tense: provides cold comfort
• future tense: will be cold comfort
• perfect tense: has been cold comfort
• continuous tense: is providing cold comfort
• singular: cold comfort
• positive degree: comforting
• infinitive: to provide cold comfort
• gerund: providing cold comfort
• participle: provided cold comfort

Origin and Evolution of cold comfort

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Middle English

Story behind the word: The phrase 'cold comfort' originated in medieval England.

Evolution of the word: Initially used to describe a situation where something is better than nothing, but still not satisfactory, the meaning of 'cold comfort' has evolved to convey a sense of minimal or inadequate consolation.