noun

cushion

KUU-shuhn

noun

A soft fabric pad used for comfort when sitting or leaning.

"She fluffed up the cushions on the sofa."

"He added an extra cushion to the hard wooden chair."

Something that softens or absorbs an impact, whether physical or financial.

"Their savings gave them a cushion in case either of them lost their job."

verb

To soften the effect of an impact or a difficult situation.

"The extra padding cushioned her fall."

"The company's reserves cushioned it against the downturn."

How to Use Cushion

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA soft pad for comfort, or anything (including money) that softens a blow.

Common pairings

a financial cushion cushion the blow throw cushion

cushioned past tense, cushions plural, cushions singular

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Can you complete this real example?

She fluffed up the _____ on the sofa.

From Old French coissin, from Vulgar Latin coxinus, "seat pad," ultimately from Latin coxa, "hip."

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