What does consolation mean?
Consolation refers to the comfort someone receives — or something that provides that comfort — in the aftermath of loss, disappointment, or hardship. It can name a feeling ('she found consolation in music'), a source of comfort ('his letters were her chief consolation'), or a tangible token of sympathy, as in a 'consolation prize' awarded to a runner-up. The word carries a gentle, empathetic connotation and sits comfortably in both formal and informal registers, though it leans slightly toward considered, written English. It derives from Latin 'consolari', meaning to console, and belongs to a family including 'console', 'consoling', and 'inconsolable'. A useful distinction: condolence is what you express to the grieving, while consolation is the comfort itself. Common pairings include 'small consolation', 'take consolation in', and 'little consolation', which often acknowledge that whatever comfort exists does not fully make up for the loss.
The act or instance of comforting someone who has suffered a loss or disappointment; comfort itself.
"The team's supporters offered warm consolation after the narrow defeat."
Often used with modifiers like 'small', 'little', or 'poor' to signal that the comfort falls short of the loss.
A person, thing, or event that provides comfort or relief in misfortune.
"Her garden became a real consolation through the long winter of grief."
The plural is relatively uncommon and typically appears when referring to multiple distinct sources or instances of comfort.
"He counted the consolations of rural life one by one."
In Roman law and rhetoric, 'consolatio' was practically a literary genre — entire treatises were written on the art of consoling the bereaved.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of consolation
Consolation comes from Latin 'consolatio', formed from 'consolari' — 'con-' (together) plus 'solari' (to soothe) — which also gives us 'solace'. It entered Middle English from Old French 'consolacion' in the medieval period, with its modern form established by early modern times. Its Latin cognates include the verb 'console'; the root 'solari' also underlies 'solace' and 'solarium'-type words of soothing rather than of the sun.
Related word forms
How consolation is actually used
Consolation is a neutral to warm, somewhat formal word common in both everyday speech and writing. It often appears in phrases like 'small consolation' or 'consolation prize', where it implies an inadequate offset to a greater loss. The verb 'console' is more active, describing the act of giving comfort, while 'consolation' names the comfort itself.
Easily confused with consolation
Condolence is an expression of sympathy offered to someone grieving, whereas consolation is the comfort itself or the act of comforting.