What does cushiony mean?
"Cushiony" is an adjective describing something soft, thick, and yielding in the manner of a cushion. It is applied most often to furniture, mattresses, footwear, and upholstery — a cushiony sofa invites sinking in, and cushiony insoles promise comfortable walking. The word conveys not merely softness but a pleasant, padded resilience: something that compresses gently under pressure and springs back comfortably. It is a common term in product marketing and everyday speech alike, carrying warm, positive connotations of comfort and coziness. Derived directly from "cushion," which entered English from Old French (ultimately from Latin coxinum, related to the hip joint), "cushiony" captures in a single vivid word the tactile pleasure of well-padded comfort — a quality so universally appealing that it has become shorthand for indulgence and ease in descriptions of everything from carpets to car seats.
adjectiveSoft and comfortable, like a cushion; having a thick, padded quality that yields pleasantly under pressure.
- Having the soft, yielding quality of a cushion; thickly padded and comfortable.
"The sofa's cushiony seats made it hard to get up."
"She sank into the cushiony armchair with a satisfied sigh."
"The running shoes have a cushiony midsole that absorbs impact on long runs."
"Cushiony" is one of the few adjectives you can feel through your shoes — shoe brands spend millions chasing the sensation it names.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cushiony
"Cushiony" is formed by adding the adjective-forming suffix "-y" to "cushion." The base word came into Middle English from Old French "coissin" (modern French "coussin"), likely from Latin "coxinum," connected to "coxa" (hip), reflecting the shape of early seat cushions. As a descriptive adjective, "cushiony" developed in more recent centuries alongside similar texture-based adjectives like "silky" and "velvety."
Related word forms
How cushiony is actually used
An informal-to-neutral descriptive adjective, most often used of furniture, footwear, mattresses, and other products where physical comfort is being praised. It carries a positive, cozy connotation.
Easily confused with cushiony
"Cushioned" describes something fitted with or protected by cushions/padding (a cushioned seat), while "cushiony" describes an inherent soft, yielding texture.