consolation

American  

[kon-suh-ley-shuhn] / ˌkɒn səˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of consoling; comfort; solace.

   Synonyms:

   cheer, support, help, succor, relief

2. the state of being consoled.

3. someone or something that consoles.

   His faith was a consolation during his troubles. Her daughters are a consolation to her.

4. Sports. a game, match, or race for tournament entrants eliminated before the final round, as a basketball game between the losing semifinalists.

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consolation British  

/ kənˈsɒlətərɪ, ˌkɒnsəˈleɪʃən, -trɪ /

noun

1. the act of consoling or state of being consoled; solace

2. a person or thing that is a source of comfort in a time of suffering, grief, disappointment, etc

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Other Word Forms

• consolatory
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of consolation

1325–75; Middle English consolacioun (< Anglo-French ) < Latin consōlātiōn- (stem of consōlātiō ), equivalent to consōlāt ( us ), past participle of consōlārī ( con- con- + sōlā-, stem of sōlārī to comfort, + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion; see solace

Explanation

Consolation is something that makes someone feel better after they're disappointed or sad. This is a word for things that try to console someone. A consolation prize isn't as good as first prize, but it's better than nothing. A hug is little consolation when you've had your heart broken. You give someone consolation when try to cheer them up. Consolation can be the act of making someone feel better, like trying to make them laugh, but it can also be something that makes someone happy, like a plate of warm cookies.

Example Sentences

Absent that, Donnyland could be an attractive consolation prize.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026

But the Lakers postseason run isn’t a bad consolation prize.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026

Income investors enjoy one consolation: Costco does intermittently pay out large special dividends, the most recent being in January 2024, when it issued a special payout of $15 a share.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

Even a consolation goal was beyond them as Salah saw his second-half penalty saved - a moment Slot admitted "probably sums us up today and probably large parts of our season".

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

“She most of all,” said Ernest, “requires consolation; she accused herself of having caused the death of my brother, and that made her very wretched. But since the murderer has been discovered—”

From "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley

Related Words

• comfort
• compassion
• encouragement
• pity
• solace
• succor
• sympathy