# relief

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɹɪˈliːf/ · frequency rank #2,754

## Definitions
1. The removal of stress or discomfort.
2. The feeling associated with the removal of stress or discomfort.
3. Release from a post or duty, as when replaced by another.
4. The person who takes over a shift for another.
5. Aid or assistance offered in time of need.
6. Military assistance to break a siege or an encirclement.
7. Court-ordered compensation, aid, or protection, a redress.
8. A lowering of a tax through special provisions; tax relief.
9. A certain fine or composition paid by the heir of a tenant upon the death of the ancestor.
10. Permission for a player to move their ball to a more convenient spot before taking a shot, under certain circumstances.
11. Ellipsis of relief teacher.

## Etymology
From Old French relief (“assistance”), from Old French relever (“to relieve”), from Latin relevare (“to raise up, make light”). See also relieve.

## Easily confused with
- **review** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/relief-vs-review)
- **relish** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/relief-vs-relish)
- **relive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/relief-vs-relive)
- **replied** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/relief-vs-replied)
- **replies** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/relief-vs-replies)
- **relieve** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/relief-vs-relieve)
- **reef** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reef-vs-relief)
- **relic** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/relic-vs-relief)
- **relics** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/relics-vs-relief)

## Common misspellings (8)
`erlief`, `reilef`, `releif`, `relieff`, `relife`, `rellief`, `rleief`, `rrelief`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/relief