mattress

IPA/ˈmætrəs/
KK[mˈætrəs]IPA/ˈmætrəs/

mattress — noun

  • mattresssingular
  • mattressesplural

1. a large, thick, soft pad that sits on top of a bed frame and gives you a comfort

1.nounA2
Definition

a large, thick, soft pad that sits on top of a bed frame and gives you a comfortable surface to sleep on

Example

Olivia bought a new mattress for her guest room before her parents arrived.

Zayd and his brother carried the old mattress down to the street for pickup.

collocation: old mattress

Common collocations
  • new mattress
  • old mattress
  • firm mattress
  • soft mattress
  • mattress cover
  • mattress pad
  • mattress topper
  • flip a mattress
  • rotate a mattress

Usage Note

A mattress sits on a bed frame but is separate from it. The word 'bed' can refer to the whole piece of furniture including the frame, while 'mattress' is specifically the soft pad.

Common Mistakes

I bought a new bed for my bedroom.' (when you mean the pad only).
I bought a new mattress for my bed.
'bed' includes the frame; 'mattress' is just the soft part you lie on.

2. a mattress of a particular type or quality, chosen for its firmness, material, a

2.nounB1
Definition

a mattress of a particular type or quality, chosen for its firmness, material, and how well it supports your body during sleep

Example

Talia asked the shop assistant whether a memory foam mattress would suit her back pain.

collocation: memory foam mattress

After trying several models, Christopher chose the firmest mattress in the store.

grammar: superlative + mattress

Common collocations
  • firm mattress
  • soft mattress
  • medium-firm mattress
  • memory foam mattress
  • spring mattress
  • latex mattress
  • support your back
  • good mattress for your spine
Synonyms
  • bed

    used loosely in everyday speech ('I need a new bed'), but technically refers to the whole furniture unit including the frame

Usage Note

This sense is most common in shopping or medical advice contexts, where the speaker compares different models based on firmness, material (memory foam, latex, spring), or health needs such as back support.

Common Mistakes

I need a hard mattress for my back.
I need a firm mattress for my back.
'hard' suggests unpleasant stiffness; 'firm' describes the desirable level of support.

Word family

  • mattress pad
    nounB1
  • mattress topper
    nounB1
  • mattress cover
    nounB1
  • box spring
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A mattress is the thick, soft pad that goes on a bed frame — it is the part you actually lie on. A 'bed' is the complete piece of furniture that includes both the frame and the mattress, though people sometimes say 'bed' when they mean just the mattress in casual conversation. A 'futon' is a thinner, foldable mattress, often placed directly on the floor or on a low wooden frame, and is common in Japanese-style homes. A 'mat' is a thin, firm pad used on the floor for exercise, yoga, or temporary sleeping — it offers very little cushioning compared to a mattress. For example: 'She bought a new mattress for her bed frame,' but 'He rolled out a futon for his guest' and 'The children did stretches on a yoga mat.'

mattress ↗bed ↗futonmat ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • mattress store
  • mattress sale
  • mattress brand
  • mattress size
  • mattress price

Phrases

  • sleep on a mattress
  • lie on a mattress
  • buy a mattress
  • replace a mattress

Prepositions

  • on a mattress
  • off the mattress

Etymology

ArabicItalianFrenchEnglish

The word 'mattress' entered English through Old French 'materas', which came from Italian 'materasso', and ultimately from Arabic 'al-matrah' (اَلمَطْرَح), meaning 'a place where something is thrown' or 'a cushion'. The Arabic root reflects the early practice of throwing padded cushions on the floor for sleeping.