condole
Americanverb (used without object)
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condoles,
present (3rd person singular)
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condoled,
past participle, past
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condoling
present participle
verb (used with object)
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condoles,
present (3rd person singular)
-
condoled,
past participle, past
-
condoling
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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condolernoun
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condolatoryadjective
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uncondolatoryadjective
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uncondoledadjective
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uncondolingadjective
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condolinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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condolesimple
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condolessimple
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have condoledperfect
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has condoledperfect
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am condolingprogressive
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are condolingprogressive
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is condolingprogressive
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have been condolingperfect progressive
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has been condolingperfect progressive
Past
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condoledsimple
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had condoledperfect
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was condolingprogressive
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were condolingprogressive
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had been condolingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of condole
1580–90; < Late Latin condolēre, equivalent to con- con- + dolēre to feel pain; akin to dolor
Explanation
When you condole, you express your sadness at someone's death. Sending a "condolence" card is one way to condole with someone who has lost a loved one. When my dog died, I found that other dog owners were more likely to condole with me, since those friends who never had a pet had a harder time understanding how profound my loss was. There are many ways to condole when someone needs comfort after having suffered a loss. You can send a card, you can visit, bring food, or just sit with them as they grieve. If you've lost someone too, then you condole by showing empathy. If not, then you can condole by just lending an ear.
Vocabulary lists containing condole
"The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs
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"The Monkey's Paw," Vocabulary from the short story
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"The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs
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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.
See Examples For:
There will be time to collectively mourn, condole and rebuild, when they no longer are, when all communities are safe.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 10, 2025
I will definitely miss him and I condole with his family, his BBC fans and the BBC family.
From BBC ● Jan. 18, 2014
Last week Mrs. McGuire, owner of 40 dogs herself, hurried to Long Island to condole with Poopchin and the Pekes.
From Time Magazine Archive
We had assembled to condole with a martyr.
From Time Magazine Archive
Przebendowska knew well that Bielinska's affairs were in a bad state, and she at once began to condole with her about them.
From The Countess Cosel A Romance of History of the Times of Augustus the Strong by Jo?zef Ignacy Kraszewski
Her team listens, condoles with the families and tries to humanise the situation.
From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026
In his best vestryman's voice, T. S. Eliot restates his cultured disenchantment with the wartime world and condoles with humanity, shivering in "the cold wind That blows before and after time."
From Time Magazine Archive
She condoles with the saleswoman upon her hard lot and lack of pleasure, and in the rôle of a kindly, prosperous matron invites her to come to her own home for a good time.
From A New Conscience and an Ancient Evil by Jane Addams
“Qu’est-ce que tu veux, ma pauvre Mimi?” condoles Céleste, as she approaches the family feline.
From The Real Latin Quarter by F. Berkeley (Frank Berkeley) Smith
His friend Micah appears, and in the aria, "O Mirror of our fickle State," condoles with him.
From The Standard Oratorios Their Stories, Their Music, And Their Composers by George P. (George Putnam) Upton
Marcos Jr. visited Ramos’ wake Thursday and condoled with the family of Ramos, who, he said, “was a symbol of stability after all the tumultuous events of 1986.”
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 8, 2022
They condoled with her for the hate mail.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 22, 2019
"Mr. American, how come you haven't even condoled?"
From US News ● Oct. 22, 2014
Last week tough old Atheist Clemenceau, 87, followed Death to the house of Christian Foch, 77, and condoled privily with Mme. la Marechale.
From Time Magazine Archive
"Sure the birds couldn't be in it this weather," said Jerry considerately; he had in his time condoled with many sportsmen.
From In Mr. Knox's Country by Martin Ross
Lukashenko placed red roses at Makei’s coffin before his burial Tuesday and briefly touched the dead man’s arm, gazing at him for a few moments, dry-eyed, before condoling with Makei’s family.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 1, 2022
Now, I’m very sad to be condoling with his family and friends.
From Slate ● Oct. 31, 2020
These days you’ll see that condoling frowny face on nearly TV-news emissary.
From Time ● Oct. 31, 2014
They speak in genial or condoling tones; they have only the best interests of their corporations at heart and truly hope you see it their way.
From Time Magazine Archive
My dear Professor, instead of condemning your wife you ought to be condoling with her, and doing all you can to get her gray matter into a healthy condition.
From Dolly Reforming Herself A Comedy in Four Acts by Henry Arthur Jones
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
