- 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.
More tolerant groups showed higher levels of reassuring touch, including what researchers described as "reassurance trains", in which multiple apes embraced one another in succession.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
People trusted his read on the economy precisely because he was more interested in being right than in sounding reassuring.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
However, the promised repayment date soon passed, wile Barnes continued reassuring them the money was coming.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
Shortly after it released the new data aimed at reassuring investors, Abivax set out to raise $600 million earlier this week.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
The bling of the text sounds like reassuring company.
From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti
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.
