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.
Haggis is known for writing and directing the Oscar-winning 2004 film Crash, as well as co-writing James Bond films Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.
From BBC • May 8, 2025
Solace Global non-executive director Matthew Harding said the men were "all valued team members, to whom we were very close" and their deaths were a "truly tragic loss".
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2024
Solace Kalkowski, who uses the pronoun they, found themself sleeping in their truck after a breakup a few weeks ago and said the center kept them from ending up chronically homeless.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2024
For craft beer fans, there are still 13 District Drafts carts pouring local brews, and Other Half, Solace and City-State brewing have been added to the rotation.
From Washington Post • Apr. 6, 2022
By now, Will Solace realized just how creepy and revolting Nico di Angelo was.
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
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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.