solace

American  

[sol-is] / ˈsɒl ɪs /

noun

1. comfort in sorrow, misfortune, or trouble; alleviation of distress or discomfort.

2. something that gives comfort, consolation, or relief.

   The minister's visit was the dying man's only solace.

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verb (used with object)

solaced, solacing

1. to comfort, console, or cheer (a person, oneself, the heart, etc.).

2. to alleviate or relieve (sorrow, distress, etc.).

solace British  

/ ˈsɒlɪs /

noun

1. comfort in misery, disappointment, etc

2. something that gives comfort or consolation

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verb

1. to give comfort or cheer to (a person) in time of sorrow, distress, etc

2. to alleviate (sorrow, misery, etc)

Other Word Forms

• solacer noun
• unsolaced adjective
• unsolacing adjective

Etymology

Origin of solace

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English solas, from Old French, from Latin sōlācium, equivalent to sōl (ārī) “to comfort” + -āc- adjective suffix + -ium -ium

Example Sentences

Growing up in the Bible Belt, I took great solace in promises of God’s protection, His plans for my life.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite these pressures, the sale of a large portion of the portfolio effectively at par should provide some solace to investors waiting for liquidity.

From MarketWatch

We will take solace in how funny he could be, how wise and utterly accepting and tolerant he was.

From BBC

In the final alpine skiing event in Italy, her emotional victory brought some solace to a US ski team still reeling from Lindsey Vonn's horrific crash in the downhill.

From Barron's

The bit remains frustratingly shallow, when there’s so much opportunity to plumb what it means to seek solace in smoothies and faux spirituality.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• condolence
• consolation
• pity