console

[ kuh n-sohl ]

/ kənˈsoʊl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR console ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), con·soled, con·sol·ing.

to alleviate or lessen the grief, sorrow, or disappointment of; give solace or comfort: Only his children could console him when his wife died.

Nearby words

Origin of console

1685–95; (< French consoler) < Latin consōlārī, equivalent to con- con- + sōlārī to soothe (see solace); perhaps akin to Old English sǣl happiness (see seely)

Related forms

con·sol·a·ble, adjectivecon·sol·er, nouncon·sol·ing·ly, adverbnon·con·sol·a·ble, adjective

non·con·sol·ing, adjectivenon·con·sol·ing·ly, adverbself-con·sol·ing, adjectiveun·con·sol·a·ble, adjectiveun·con·sol·a·bly, adverbun·con·soled, adjectiveun·con·sol·ing, adjectiveun·con·sol·ing·ly, adverb

Synonym study

See comfort.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for consoling

She had grown so perfect and gentle and consoling that it was unbearable, she was a big, round smooth balloon without a face.
Tove Jansson, Queen of the Moomins|John Garth|August 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She was consoling herself with the promise of hot coffee and maybe, just maybe, a chocolate-chip cookie.
‘Revenge Wears Prada’: The 11 Most Cringeworthy Moments|Abby Haglage|June 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
If someone needs some consoling right now, it is the president, not the Jersey Shore.
Obama Escapes Scandals in New Jersey, but What’s in It for Christie?|David Freedlander|May 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In one scene, Hannibal is consoling Will, who is shaken after shooting and killing a suspect.
Mads Mikkelsen On Playing the Tasty New Hannibal Lecter|Kevin Fallon|April 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST

I wrote back with my attempt at consoling words, but the truth is that I am worried and can hardly console myself.
Russia’s Adoption Ban Is Cruel and Vindictive to All|Dr. Jane Aronson|December 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And I could not speak a consoling word to her; Klaus did not wish it.
A Sister's Love|W. Heimburg
Well, its really not so bad as that, he returned in a tone intended to be consoling.
Nothing But the Truth|Frederic S. Isham
Never did I need the consoling voice of a friend more than now.
The Campaign of 1776 around New York and Brooklyn|Henry P. Johnston
It throws a light upon Uncle Henry's talk, which has seemed to me hitherto neither reasonable nor consoling.
Notes of a Son and Brother|Henry James
If I must die, give me some tender and consoling thought to while away my hours while death is approaching.
Latitude 19 degree|Mrs. Schuyler Crowninshield

British Dictionary definitions for consoling (1 of 2)

console

/ (kənˈsəʊl) /

verb

to serve as a source of comfort to (someone) in disappointment, loss, sadness, etc

Derived Formsconsolable, adjectiveconsoler, nounconsolingly, adverb

Word Origin for console

C17: from Latin consōlārī, from sōlārī to comfort; see solace

British Dictionary definitions for consoling (2 of 2)

console

/ (ˈkɒnsəʊl) /

noun

an ornamental bracket, esp one used to support a wall fixture, bust, etc

the part of an organ comprising the manuals, pedals, stops, etc

a unit on which the controls of an electronic system are mounted

same as games console

a cabinet for a television, gramophone, etc, designed to stand on the floor

See console table

Word Origin for console

C18: from French, shortened from Old French consolateur one that provides support, hence, supporting bracket, from Latin consōlātor a comforter; see console 1

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 consoling (1 of 2)

console

1690s, from French consoler "to comfort, console," from Latin consolari "offer solace, encourage, comfort, cheer," from com-, intensive prefix (see com-), + solari "to comfort" (see solace). Or perhaps a back-formation from consolation. The Latin word is glossed in Old English by frefran. Related: Consoled; consoling.

Word Origin and History for consoling (1 of 2)

console

1706, "a cabinet; an ornamental base structure," from French console "a bracket" (16c.), of uncertain origin, possibly from Middle French consolateur, literally "one who consoles," word used for carved human figures supporting cornices, shelves or rails in choir stalls. Another guess connects it to Latin consolidare. Sense evolved to "body of a musical organ" (1881), "radio cabinet" (1925), then "cabinet for a TV, stereo, etc." (1944).

console

verb (used with object), con·soled, con·sol·ing.

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Nearby words

Origin of console

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for consoling

British Dictionary definitions for consoling (1 of 2)

console

verb

Word Origin for console

British Dictionary definitions for consoling (2 of 2)

console

noun

Word Origin for console

Word Origin and History for consoling (1 of 2)

console

Word Origin and History for consoling (1 of 2)

console