- present participle of reassure.
reassuring
Americanadjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of reassuring
First recorded in 1700–10; reassur(e) ( def. ) + -ing 2 ( def. ) for the adjective senses; reassur(e) ( def. ) + -ing 1 ( def. ) for the noun sense
Explanation
Something reassuring comforts or inspires you. A reassuring smile can help to calm a nervous speaker who's about to give a speech. When you're anxious about singing in the talent show, some reassuring words from your best friend or your dad's reassuring hug can make you feel much more relaxed and confident. And fearful flyers sometimes find the calm voice of the captain reassuring. This adjective comes from the verb reassure, or "restore to confidence," which adds re-, or "again," to assure, which has the Latin root securus, "safe or secure."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Their conclusion was reassuring in one sense: a total collapse this century looked unlikely.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
But he insists he is not looking to "destroy anything", reassuring more cautious voters.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
“The continuity is reassuring in a way,” Ms. Brown said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
Economists predict the 12-month increase in wages will stick to around 3.5% in June — not high enough to raise any worries, but not reassuring either.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 2026
A cute present—but presumably the men didn’t feel the need to drop reassuring teddy bears off at other men’s air regiments just before a combat mission!
From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
