Added 9 October 2026
relieve
/ɹɪˈliːv/ verb
In Latin: relevō Wiktionary
verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about relieve at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
To ease (a person, person's thoughts etc.) from mental distress; to stop (someone) feeling anxious or worried, to alleviate the distress of. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
I was greatly relieved by the jury's verdict.
- To ease (someone, a part of the body etc.) or give relief from physical pain or discomfort.
- To alleviate (pain, distress, mental discomfort etc.).
Origin
From Late Middle English releven, from Old French relever, specifically from the conjugated forms such as (jeo) relieve (“I lift up”), and its source, Latin relevo (“to lift up, lighten, relieve, alleviate”), combined form of re- (“back”) + levo (“to lift”). Doublet of relevate. Compare levant, levity, etc.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)