solace
Americannoun
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comfort in sorrow, misfortune, or trouble; alleviation of distress or discomfort.
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something that gives comfort, consolation, or relief.
The minister's visit was the dying man's only solace.
verb (used with object)
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to comfort, console, or cheer (a person, oneself, the heart, etc.).
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to alleviate or relieve (sorrow, distress, etc.).
noun
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comfort in misery, disappointment, etc
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something that gives comfort or consolation
verb
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to give comfort or cheer to (a person) in time of sorrow, distress, etc
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to alleviate (sorrow, misery, etc)
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing solace
The Giver
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A Spelling Bee for Fun
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NAEP Test Words
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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.
The estimate-beating results will bring some solace to software investors in a sector that has faced concerns of permanent AI disruption.
From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026
One solace for her is volunteering as a search and rescue coast guard.
From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026
While she finds that not everything can be understood, there is beauty and solace in the journey itself — and maybe a kind of catharsis.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026
But he can take solace in the knowledge that nine players have won here after being the runner-up the year before.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026
Not rely on absolutely, that was obliterated as a possibility, just rely on a little, some solace, something surviving in the ruins.
From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles
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.
