1. Feeling of Ease or Comfort (after stress, pain, etc.)
- Meaning: The feeling of no longer being worried, anxious, or in pain.
- Usage: This is the most common use of "relief." It often describes a positive feeling after a negative experience.
- Examples:
- "I felt a huge sense of relief when I heard the good news."
- "The medicine brought him some relief from the pain."
- "It was a relief to finally finish the project."
- "She sighed with relief."
2. Something that Reduces Pain or Difficulty
- Meaning: Anything that makes a bad situation less severe. This can be a physical object, an action, or a piece of information.
- Usage: Here, "relief" refers to the source of the positive feeling.
- Examples:
- "The cool breeze was a welcome relief from the heat."
- "The financial aid provided some relief for the struggling family."
- "The doctor prescribed medication for pain relief."
- "He found relief in meditation."
3. Aid or Help (especially in times of crisis)
- Meaning: Help given to people who are in need, often because of a disaster or emergency.
- Usage: Often used in the context of humanitarian aid.
- Examples:
- "The Red Cross is providing relief to the earthquake victims."
- "The government sent emergency relief to the flood-stricken area."
- "Relief efforts are underway to help those affected by the hurricane."
4. (Art) Sculpted or Carved Surface that Stands Out
- Meaning: A type of sculpture where figures or designs are raised from a flat background.
- Usage: This is a more specialized, artistic use of the word.
- Examples:
- "The ancient temple walls were covered in intricate reliefs."
- "The artist created a beautiful relief sculpture."
- "A bas-relief is a type of relief sculpture where the figures are only slightly raised."
5. (Geography) Variations in Elevation
- Meaning: The differences in height between different points in an area of land.
- Usage: Used in geographical descriptions.
- Examples:
- "The map showed the relief of the mountainous region."
- "The area has a varied relief, with both high mountains and low valleys."
Important Notes:
- "Relief" is primarily a noun. There isn't a common verb form of "relief" in standard English.
- The preposition "from" is often used with "relief" when talking about being freed from something unpleasant (e.g., "relief from pain," "relief from stress").
When using "relief," consider the context to determine the intended meaning. The most common usage relates to a feeling of comfort or ease.