Cushion
/ˈkʊʃən/
nounverbA2
Definition
As a noun, a cushion is a soft, often square or round object filled with soft material like foam or feathers. People use cushions on chairs or sofas to make sitting more comfortable. As a verb, to cushion means to make something less hard or painful by adding softness or protection, like when you cushion a fall by landing on something soft.
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See It in Action
Soft object used for comfort
- •She placed a cushion on the wooden chair to sit more comfortably.
- •The sofa has many colorful cushions.
- •He hugged the cushion while watching TV.
To protect or reduce impact
- •The soft ground cushioned his fall.
- •The airbags in cars cushion passengers during accidents.
- •She cushioned the blow by explaining gently.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "cushion" like "pillow" (A1 word), but cushions are usually smaller and used on chairs or sofas, not just for sleeping
- ✓Picture a soft, fluffy square on a chair that makes it feel gentle and cozy when you sit down
- ✓It's the feeling of comfort and support you get when you rest on something soft that protects your body
- ✓Sounds like "cush-ion" → imagine "cush" like "push" but softer, like a gentle push that doesn’t hurt
- ✓Remember sitting on a soft couch with cushions that make you want to relax and stay longer
- ✓As a verb, NOT like "hit" (hard and painful), "cushion" means to make the hit softer or less painful
- ✓NOT like "pillow" (used mainly for sleeping), cushions are often decorative and for comfort on furniture
- ✓As a verb, it is self-helping by reducing force or shock, NOT causing it
Try Other Words
- •Pad: a soft layer used for comfort or protection (Use when the object is thin and flat, like a seat pad)
- •Buffer: something that reduces shock or damage (Use more in technical or abstract contexts, like "a buffer zone")
- •Soften: to make less hard or strong (Use as a verb when talking about reducing force or impact)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: No clear prefix or suffix; "cushion" comes as a whole word
- •Etymology: From Old French "coissin," from Late Latin "cocionem," meaning a stuffed sack or pillow
- •Historical development: The word originally meant a soft bag filled with feathers or wool, used for sitting or resting
- •Modern usage: Used both as a noun for soft objects on furniture and as a verb meaning to reduce impact or shock
Reflect & Connect
•How do cushions change the way we feel when we sit or rest? Can comfort affect our mood?
•In what situations can "cushion" as a verb be used outside of physical impacts (like emotional or financial)?
Fill in the blanks
1.She put a soft ___ on the chair so it would be more comfortable to ___ on.
2.The thick carpet helped ___ the sound of footsteps, acting like a ___.
3.When he fell, the grass ___ the impact and stopped him from getting hurt.
4.To ___ the shock of losing his job, his friends offered support and kind words.
5.The sofa was full of colorful ___ that made the room look cozy and inviting.
6.The airbags are designed to ___ passengers during a car accident by absorbing the ___.
7.Unlike a hard floor, a cushion makes sitting ___ and reduces pressure on your ___.