Relieve
/rɪˈliːv/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo reduce or remove something unpleasant or unwanted.
/rɪˈliːv/
To ease or alleviate pain, suffering, or distress.
The warm bath helped to relieve her aching muscles.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a really bad headache. Taking medicine helps RELIEVE the pain! It's like making the bad feeling go away.
👶 For kids: To make something feel better, like when you take off a heavy backpack.
More Examples
The new policy was designed to relieve some of the pressure on teachers.
She took a deep breath to relieve her anxiety.
How It's Used
"The medication helped relieve the patient's pain."
"Talking to a friend relieved her stress."
To take over the duties or responsibilities of someone else or free them from those duties.
/rɪˈliːv/
To free someone from a duty or responsibility.
The night shift will relieve the day shift at 6 pm.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're on duty and someone else comes to take your place so you can go home. They RELIEVE you from your job.
👶 For kids: To let someone else take over your job or duty.
More Examples
The new CEO relieved the old one of his position.
The substitute teacher relieved the regular teacher during the sick leave.
How It's Used
"The reinforcements arrived to relieve the soldiers at the front lines."
"The manager relieved the employee of their duties."
To provide support or assistance to someone in need.
/rɪˈliːv/
To provide aid or assistance.
The Red Cross aims to relieve the needs of those affected by the disaster.
💡 Simply: Imagine you donate money to a charity to help people. You're helping to RELIEVE their difficult situation.
👶 For kids: To help someone who needs it.
More Examples
The organization worked to relieve poverty in the region.
The economic plan was designed to relieve the strain on small businesses.
How It's Used
"The charity sent aid to relieve the suffering of the earthquake victims."
"The government announced a plan to relieve the financial burden on taxpayers."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
relieve oneself
To urinate or defecate.
"He went to the restroom to relieve himself."
From Old French *relever* 'to raise, lift up, alleviate', from Latin *relevare* 'to lighten, alleviate', from *re-* 'again' + *levare* 'to lift, raise'.
Used since the 13th century, originally with the meaning of 'raise up' or 'lift up'.
Memory tip
Think of 're-leave', as in, take away the leave or the unpleasant situation.
Word Origin
"to lift, lighten"