solace

American  

[sol-is] / ˈsɒl ɪs /

noun

1. comfort in sorrow, misfortune, or trouble; alleviation of distress or discomfort.

2. something that gives comfort, consolation, or relief.

   The minister's visit was the dying man's only solace.

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verb (used with object)

solaced, solacing

1. to comfort, console, or cheer (a person, oneself, the heart, etc.).

2. to alleviate or relieve (sorrow, distress, etc.).

solace British  

/ ˈsɒlɪs /

noun

1. comfort in misery, disappointment, etc

2. something that gives comfort or consolation

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verb

1. to give comfort or cheer to (a person) in time of sorrow, distress, etc

2. to alleviate (sorrow, misery, etc)

Other Word Forms

• solacer noun
• unsolaced adjective
• unsolacing adjective

Etymology

Origin of solace

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English solas, from Old French, from Latin sōlācium, equivalent to sōl (ārī) “to comfort” + -āc- adjective suffix + -ium -ium

Explanation

If something eases your disappointment or grief, consider it a solace. If you're sad, you might find solace in music or in talking to your friends. It is no surprise that consolation and solace are similar in meaning as they share a root in the Latin verb sōlārī, "to comfort." In fact, solace and consolation are synonyms meaning "relief from grief or disappointment." When you go to sleepaway camp, your parents will miss you, but they'll find solace in knowing that you are having fun.

Example Sentences

They will include those who have found solace in books while in prison and others who have used a connection a book club to overcome deep depression.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Stacy comes to find tremendous solace in making one’s coffee over a wood-burning stove instead of waiting in line at the local café.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2026

The $325 pivot was taken out on Feb. 13, but the bulls can take solace in the bullish morning star completed on Feb. 25.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

Karishma is so desperately lonely that she finds solace in his company, but no one else can stand him.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

This fact gave him no solace, for he saw immediately that the same phenomenon that had diminished nearly every one of his works—Central Park, Biltmore, the world’s fair, and so many others—had occurred yet again.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

• condolence
• consolation
• pity