condolence
Americannoun
-
condolences
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of condolence
Explanation
A condolence is an expression of sympathy and sorrow to someone who has suffered a loss, like the letter of condolence you send to a faraway friend who has lost a loved one. The noun condolence comes from the Late Latin word condole, meaning “to suffer together.” When you offer your condolences to someone who has suffered a loss, you are saying that you share their sadness, that you are there to support and help them. Don't confuse condolence with consolation, which is an attempt to make the person feel better.
Vocabulary lists containing condolence
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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:
Greek Fire Service chief Theodoros Vagias published a note of condolence to the two firefighters who died on Wednesday, naming them as 58-year-old Emmanouil Stratidakis and 25-year-old Pantelis Diamantakis.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
At the scene of the attack itself people left hand-written messages of condolence and support.
From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026
It has been two years since Ysa’s death, and Ferrante continues to get condolence messages in response to her request.
From Slate ● Jul. 19, 2026
A small but poignant item: the condolence card sent to Carrie by Samantha Jones, her estranged friend played by Kim Cattrall, who made a brief but impactful appearance in the reboot.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 28, 2026
The president of the republic sent him a telegram of condolence in which he promised an exhaustive investigation and paid homage to the dead men.
From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Six Flags Over Georgia said it was "deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest's family, friends, and loved ones."
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
“The team sends its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and Eastside community for the loss of Brian Seibert,” wrote the Mono County search team.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026
Sánchez extended his condolences to Abascal’s loved ones and sent “a hug to everyone who today feels this loss as our own.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
Tinubu offered his deepest condolences for the 25 passengers and seven crew members on board and has ordered a full investigation.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
As often as not I’d find her in an apron, hovering over a roast with a phone in each hand, one a client, the other an uncle or friend calling to offer condolences.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
