console

[kuh n-sohl]

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.

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

Related Words for consoling

soothe, assuage, solace, encourage, upraise, cheer, lift, calm, inspirit, gladden, animate, tranquilize

Examples from the Web for consoling

Contemporary Examples of 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
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples of consoling

By and by, as she grew calmer, I sought to say something that would be consoling to both of us.
Green Mansions
W. H. Hudson
Because you are the best, the most consoling, the most sisterly of beings.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
It is both customary and consoling to place the blame on other shoulders than our own.
A Woman Intervenes
Robert Barr
Caradoc was obviously inattentive to this consoling information.
The Cruise of the Dry Dock
T. S. Stribling
It is consoling, and knocks down the far-famed Deo erexit Voltaire.
Diary from November 12, 1862, to October 18, 1863
Adam Gurowski

British Dictionary definitions for consoling

console

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

console

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

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.

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).