console

[ kuh n-sohl ]

/ kənˈsoʊl /

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

consolation, consolation of philosophy, the, consolation prize, consolato del mare, consolatory, console, console game, console table, consolette, consolidate, consolidated

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 consolingly

"I'll help you, ma'am; and I'm sure you can manage it," said Charles consolingly.
An Unsentimental Journey through Cornwall|Dinah Maria Craik
Itll be worse when you have real ones, remarked Louise consolingly.
Winona of the Camp Fire|Margaret Widdemer
"Never mind, we're going to have a real obituary about him in Our Magazine," whispered Cecily consolingly.
The Golden Road|Lucy Maud Montgomery
For a minute Betty looked blank, while Dotty consolingly remarked that the bacon would be salty enough anyhow.
Betty Lee, Sophomore|David Goodger (goodger@python.org)

"Girls soon forget a man's offences," she said, consolingly.
A True Friend|Adeline Sergeant

British Dictionary definitions for consolingly (1 of 2)

console

/ (kənˈsəʊl) /

verb

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

Derived Forms

consolable, adjectiveconsoler, nounconsolingly, adverb

Word Origin for console

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

British Dictionary definitions for consolingly (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