cushion
KUU-shuhn
Cushion (noun) means a soft fabric pad used for comfort when sitting or leaning. Example: “She fluffed up the cushions on the sofa.”
noun
1
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."
2
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
1
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 notesIn plain EnglishA soft pad for comfort, or anything (including money) that softens a blow.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a financial cushion
cushion the blow
throw cushion
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Word forms
- Plural
- cushions
- Third person singular
- cushions
- Past tense
- cushioned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She fluffed up the _____ on the sofa.
Etymology
From Old French coissin, from Vulgar Latin coxinus, "seat pad," ultimately from Latin coxa, "hip."
Related words
Rhymes for cushion
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for cushion →
Frequently asked questions
What does “cushion” mean?
The word “cushion” means a soft fabric pad used for comfort when sitting or leaning. In plain terms, a soft pad for comfort, or anything (including money) that softens a blow.
How do you pronounce “cushion”?
“Cushion” is pronounced KUU-shuhn (/ˈkʊʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “cushion” in a sentence?
Here is “cushion” used in a sentence: “She fluffed up the cushions on the sofa.”
What part of speech is “cushion”?
Depending on how it is used, “cushion” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “cushion” come from?
The word “cushion” comes from Vulgar Latin. From Old French coissin, from Vulgar Latin coxinus, "seat pad," ultimately from Latin coxa, "hip.".
Is “cushion” a common word?
“Cushion” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “cushion” have?
“Cushion” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft fabric pad used for comfort when sitting or leaning.
What is the difference between a cushion and a pillow?
A cushion is generally used for sitting or leaning support on chairs and sofas, while a pillow is typically associated with sleeping and is used to support the head. The two words overlap in casual use, but cushion more often refers to decorative or seating pads.
What does it mean to cushion a financial blow?
To cushion a financial blow means to soften its impact, often through savings, insurance, or other measures that absorb some of the loss. This figurative use extends the physical idea of a cushion softening an impact to financial or emotional situations.
Can cushion be used as a verb?
Yes, cushion works as a verb meaning to soften the effect of an impact or a difficult situation, as in "the airbag cushioned the collision" or "savings cushioned the layoff." This verb use applies to both physical impacts and difficult life events.
