condolence

or con·dole·ment

[kuh n-doh-luh ns]

See more synonyms for condolence on Thesaurus.com

noun

Often condolences. expression of sympathy with a person who is suffering sorrow, misfortune, or grief.

Origin of condolence

First recorded in 1595–1605; condole + -ence

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for condolence

Contemporary Examples

To Hitchcock, this is not a sweet wire from an old colleague but a condolence letter on the occasion of his own death.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days
David Freeman
December 13, 2014
The letters of condolence when she died in March at the age of 87 included one from an African American who had become president.
Is Al Sharpton Running New York City Hall From the White House?
Michael Daly
November 7, 2014
She rarely dropped names of her famous friends, except Prince Charles', who issued a public note of condolence after her death.
Melissa Rivers: Life After Joan—A Funny, Moving Celebration on a Special 'Fashion Police'
Tim Teeman
September 20, 2014
Before Mr. Chen left the museum, he signed a condolence book by the corner library.
The Tiananmen Square Museum That’s Shocking China’s Tourists
Brendon Hong
May 30, 2014
This year, the condolence book from the June 4th Museum will be burned in a ceremony of remembrance.
The Tiananmen Square Museum That’s Shocking China’s Tourists
Brendon Hong
May 30, 2014

Historical Examples

Many were the messages of regard and condolence that came from other lands.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
I do not ask your condolence and regret for what is past, for that now cannot be remedied.
Gomez Arias
Joaqun Telesforo de Trueba y Coso
I felt that no words of condolence availed, and I let him lie there quietly.
The Moon and Sixpence
W. Somerset Maugham
Wherever we go, we are lionised and loaded with congratulations and condolence.
The Pearl of the Antilles, or An Artist in Cuba
Walter Goodman
But the formal tributes of condolence were followed by great rejoicing in the camp.
The Philippine Islands
John Foreman

British Dictionary definitions for condolence

condolence

condolement (kənˈdəʊlmənt)

noun

(often plural) an expression of sympathy with someone in grief, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for condolence

n.

c.1600, from Late Latin condolere "to suffer together" (see condole) + -ence. Often in form condoleance 1600-1800.

condolence

or con·dole·ment

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}condolence

Examples from the Web for condolence

Contemporary Examples

To Hitchcock, this is not a sweet wire from an old colleague but a condolence letter on the occasion of his own death.

The letters of condolence when she died in March at the age of 87 included one from an African American who had become president.

She rarely dropped names of her famous friends, except Prince Charles', who issued a public note of condolence after her death.

Before Mr. Chen left the museum, he signed a condolence book by the corner library.

This year, the condolence book from the June 4th Museum will be burned in a ceremony of remembrance.

Historical Examples

Many were the messages of regard and condolence that came from other lands.

I do not ask your condolence and regret for what is past, for that now cannot be remedied.

I felt that no words of condolence availed, and I let him lie there quietly.

Wherever we go, we are lionised and loaded with congratulations and condolence.

But the formal tributes of condolence were followed by great rejoicing in the camp.

condolence

condolement (kənˈdəʊlmənt)

Word Origin and History for condolence

n.

Origin of condolence