rilievo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “rilievo” mean?
The easing or removal of a burden, difficulty, or distress.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The easing or removal of a burden, difficulty, or distress; aid provided in times of need.
In art, a sculptural technique where figures project from a background; the feeling of reassurance and relaxation following the cessation of anxiety or pain; military personnel sent to reinforce or replace others; a change in scenery or landscape.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling differences in compounds (e.g., 'relief road' UK vs. 'relief highway' US). The art term 'rilievo' is more common in UK art historical texts.
Connotations
Similar core connotations. 'Tax relief' is a common collocation in both.
Frequency
Core meanings are equally frequent. The specific art term 'rilievo' is low-frequency and specialist in both.
Grammar
How to Use “rilievo” in a Sentence
feel relief at/from sthbring relief to sbprovide relief for sb/sthcome as a reliefbreathe a sigh of reliefVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rilievo” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The relief driver arrived to take over the long haul.
American English
- The relief pitcher warmed up in the bullpen.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
'The new software provided much-needed relief from the administrative burden.' (Refers to easing workload or financial pressure.)
Academic
'The bas-relief on the frieze depicted scenes from the Iliad.' (Art history term for low projection sculpture.)
Everyday
'What a relief! I thought I'd lost my keys.' (Expression of reassurance after worry.)
Technical
'The relief valve is designed to open at a specific pressure.' (Engineering: a safety device.)
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “rilievo”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “rilievo”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rilievo”
- Using 'relief' as a verb (the verb is 'relieve'). Incorrect: *'This medicine reliefs pain.' Correct: 'This medicine relieves pain.' Confusing 'relief' with 'belief' in spelling.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily uncountable (e.g., 'a feeling of relief'). It can be countable when referring to different types or instances (e.g., 'tax reliefs', 'the reliefs on the monument').
'Relief' is a noun. 'Relieve' is a verb meaning to cause relief (e.g., 'This will relieve the pain').
These are art terms. 'Bas-relief' (or low relief) has shallow projection. 'Alto-relievo' (or high relief) has figures projecting prominently from the background.
Yes, particularly in contexts like work or military duty (e.g., 'The night shift waited for the day shift relief').
The easing or removal of a burden, difficulty, or distress.
Rilievo is usually neutral to formal in register.
Rilievo: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈliːf/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈlif/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “breathe a sigh of relief”
- “on relief (dated, receiving government aid)”
- “relief pitcher (baseball)”
- “in sharp relief”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of RE-LIEF: to 'lie f' again easily, after a weight has been lifted.
Conceptual Metaphor
NEGATIVE STATES ARE BURDENS / WEIGHTS (to feel relief is to have a weight lifted).
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'relief' NOT refer to a feeling of reassurance?