condolence

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From condole +‎ -ence, or from Middle French condoléance, or formed from the root of Latin condoleō (I sympathize), from con- (together, with) and doleō (I hurt, suffer, have pain).

Pronunciation

  • (US) IPA(key): /kənˈdoʊləns/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Audio (US, plural); condolences:(file)
  • (Philippines) IPA(key): /ˈkɒndələns/

Noun

condolence (countable and uncountable, plural condolences)

  1. (uncountable) Comfort, support or sympathy.
    There was not much to do after the accident but offer what condolence I could.
  2. (countable, usually in the plural) An expression of comfort, support, or sympathy offered to the family and friends of somebody who has died.
    I sent her a card expressing my condolences after her mother passed away.

Derived terms

English terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *delh₁- (0 c, 11 e)

Translations