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
Esperanza Rising
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Bush's Address on 9/11
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Maus I: My Father Bleeds History
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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:
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 book of condolence has been opened at Bradford City Hall to allow David Hockney's home city to remember him.
From BBC ● Jun. 25, 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
Despite posting statements and condolence messages in his name, they have yet to offer and new images or proof of life.
From Barron's ● Apr. 7, 2026
I informed the major that I intended to write Bram a condolence letter, and he responded that I could do so.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Kenya's President William Ruto, who had previously appeared in public with Chivayo, paid tribute to him as a "dear friend" and sent condolences to the families of those killed.
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026
City Councilmember John Lee; and Los Angeles Fire Capt. Rico Gross updated the community on the incident as well as expressed their condolences for the lives that were lost.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026
NBC4 and Telemundo 52, another outlet using the helicopter, offered "heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives."
From Barron's ● Sep. 16, 2026
She thanked emergency crews for their response and offered condolences to the relatives and friends of those who died in both the bus collision and helicopter crash.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
And on the morning of the sixteenth, when I asked him whether I should offer him my congratulations or my condolences, he replied that either one would do.
From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank
Definitions 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.
