VOA名师答疑2023--Snug, Cozy and Comfortable

Snug¹, Cozy² and Comfortable

Hi there. This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question about the difference between "snug," "cozy," and "comfortable."

Question:

Dear teacher,

I am Zalat from Egypt. I hope you are well.

I would like to know the difference between these words, "snug," "cozy" and "comfortable."

Thanks a lot,

Zalat

Answer:

Thanks for writing to us, Zalat. All three words can mean the same thing, to describe feeling relaxed. But there are many small differences, and we can use them in different situations.

Let's start with "comfortable."

Comfortable

"Comfortable" is an adjective. If we are talking about clothes or household goods like blankets or bedding, we can call them "comfortable" if they give relaxation³ or physical ease.

My new bed is so comfortable that I fall asleep right away.

I love coming home and putting on a pair of comfortable pants.

We can extend the meaning of physical ease and relaxation to other areas of our lives.

"Comfortable" can mean freedom from stress or worry.

She lives a comfortable life out in the country away from the stress of the city.

The word can also mean being free of pain.

The nurse asked the patient if she was comfortable after the surgery.

It can mean having financial security.

Zeke has a comfortable income now that he started his new job.

We also have a short form of "comfortable" and that is adjective "comfy."

She loves to get comfy on the couch and watch her favorite TV shows.

Let's move onto "cozy."

Cozy

"Cozy" is an adjective and overlaps⁴ in meaning with "comfortable."

Something that is "cozy" gives a feeling of comfort, relaxation or closeness.

We are going to a cozy cottage in Maine for our vacation.

We had a cozy chat at the coffee shop.

"Cozy up to" can mean to get closer to something in order to get more comfortable, especially in cold weather.

I love to cozy up to the fireplace with a good book.

And lastly, "cozy" has a special meaning as a noun in American English. It means a covering to keep drinks warm or cold, especially if they are in cans or bottles.

She keeps a variety of cozies in her kitchen for her guests' drinks.

Let's move onto "snug."

Snug

There is a saying that we use often with the word, "as snug as a bug⁵ in a rug."

This saying describes the meaning of "snug" very nicely. "Snug" as an adjective has a meaning that combines "comfortable" and "cozy" into one. It can describe a feeling of contentment, warmth and protection.

If you feel as snug as a bug in a rug, you feel warm, safe and comfortable.

"Snug" also means fitting closely together.

The tent at our campsite was snug up against the tree in the rain.

Clothing can be snug, meaning it fits close to the body.

Shoes should not fit too snug on the feet.

And finally, as a verb, "snug" means to cause to fit closely or to make snug. We get another verb "snuggle" from "snug." We use "snuggle" more often. It means to draw physically⁶ near for comfort

My cat loves snuggling up to me in the winter, so he stays warm.

Please let us know if these explanations and examples have helped you, Zalat.

Do you have a question about American English? Send us an email at [email protected].

And that's Ask a Teacher.

Words in This Story

relax –v. to become less tense; to become at ease

stress –n. a state of mental tension or worry; experiencing pressure

surgery –n. medical treatment in which a doctor cuts into someone's body in order to repair or remove damaged or diseased parts

income – n. money that is earned from work, investments, business, etc.

cottage – n. a small house

contentment –n. a feeling of being happy and satisfied

tent – n. a portable shelter that is used outdoors, is made of cloth (such as canvas or nylon), and is held up with poles and

1 snug   

adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房

参考例句：

• He showed us into a snug little sitting room.他领我们走进了一间温暖而舒适的小客厅。
• She had a small but snug home.她有个小小的但很舒适的家。

2 cozy   

adj.亲如手足的，密切的，暖和舒服的

参考例句：

• I like blankets because they are cozy.我喜欢毛毯，因为他们是舒适的。
• We spent a cozy evening chatting by the fire.我们在炉火旁聊天度过了一个舒适的晚上。

3 relaxation   

n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐

参考例句：

• The minister has consistently opposed any relaxation in the law.部长一向反对法律上的任何放宽。
• She listens to classical music for relaxation.她听古典音乐放松。

4 overlaps   

v.部分重叠( overlap的第三人称单数 )；（物体）部份重叠；交叠；（时间上）部份重叠

参考例句：

• The style in these two books largely overlaps. 这两本书的文体有许多处是一致的。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• The new office overlaps the functions of the one already in existence. 新机构的职能与那个现存机构的职能部分重叠。 来自辞典例句

5 bug   

n.虫子；故障；窃听器；vt.纠缠；装窃听器

参考例句：

• There is a bug in the system.系统出了故障。
• The bird caught a bug on the fly.那鸟在飞行中捉住了一只昆虫。

6 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。