Consolation: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：comfort in sorrow (consolation)

consolation 🔊

/ˌkɒnsəˈleɪʃn/

Something or someone that makes you feel better when you are sad or disappointed.

Consolation illustrated by a friend offering comfort and tea to someone sad on a park bench.

comfort in sorrow 🔊

➕

/ˈkʌmfət ɪn ˈsɒrəʊ/

A thing or person that provides solace or relief during times of sadness or disappointment.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'consolari', meaning 'to comfort'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'console' a sad friend; 'consolation' is the noun for that comforting act or thing.

📖 Example

After losing the game, his friend bought him ice cream as a small consolation. 🔊 A friend offers ice cream as a minor comfort after a game loss.

🔗 Collocations

consolation prize – a prize given to a non-winner as a form of comfort

offer consolation – to provide comfort or sympathy to someone

find consolation in – to derive comfort from something during distress

🔄 Synonyms

solace (n.) – comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness

comfort (n.) – a state of physical or emotional ease, or something that provides support

relief (n.) – a feeling of reassurance following release from anxiety or pain

🚫 Antonyms

distress (n.) – extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain

sorrow (n.) – deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or misfortune

agony (n.) – extreme physical or mental suffering

🌱 Derivatives

console (v.) – to comfort someone in a time of grief or disappointment

consolatory (adj.) – intended to provide consolation or comfort

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'consolatio', used in ancient Rome for comforting the grieving. In modern English, it's often associated with consolation prizes in competitions.