consolation
Americannoun
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the act of consoling; comfort; solace.
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the state of being consoled.
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someone or something that consoles.
His faith was a consolation during his troubles. Her daughters are a consolation to her.
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Sports. a game, match, or race for tournament entrants eliminated before the final round, as a basketball game between the losing semifinalists.
noun
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the act of consoling or state of being consoled; solace
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a person or thing that is a source of comfort in a time of suffering, grief, disappointment, etc
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing consolation
Grade 9, List 4
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100 SAT words Beginning with "C"
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This Week in Words: August 25 - 31, 2018
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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.
Harry Kane's late equaliser on the night could not even be described as a consolation, coming only seconds from the end.
From BBC • May 6, 2026
Buckingham Palace assiduously avoids being drawn on the political issue of the day, and the king’s interventions are largely reserved for warm words of support for great endeavors or consolation during national tragedies.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026
Absent that, Donnyland could be an attractive consolation prize.
From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026
No consolation but a great job by head coach Tyronn Lue for guiding the Clippers from a disastrous 6-21 start and finishing with more than 40 wins.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026
Ned was offended and turned to Sallie for consolation, saying to her rather pettishly, “There isn’t a bit of flirt in that girl, is there?”
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
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.
