Consolation Meaning and Definition
Consolation
Pronunciation
/ˌkɒn.sə.lʊˈeɪ.ʃn/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A comfort or solace given or received in a time of sorrow, grief, or misfortune, often in the form of words of encouragement, sympathy, or emotional support.
Examples
- Her mother’s visit was a great consolation to her after the loss of her pet.
- The team’s victory was a consolation for the fans, who had been disappointed with their performance earlier in the season.
Synonyms
- Comfort
- Solace
- Encouragement
Antonyms
- Pain
- Suffering
- Despair
Etymology
The word “consolation” comes from the Latin “consolari”, meaning “to solace or comfort”, which is derived from “consolatus”, the past participle of “consolare”, meaning “to comfort”.
Usage Notes
Consolation is often used in situations where someone is experiencing emotional pain, grief, or hardship. It can be expressed through words of encouragement, physical touch, or acts of kindness.
Cultural References
In popular culture, consolation is often depicted in films and literature as a means of healing and coping with loss or adversity. For example, the movie “The Shawshank Redemption” features a character who finds solace in music during his time in prison.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- “Words of consolation” – phrases of comfort or sympathy
- “Consolation prize” – a reward or prize given to someone who did not win the main prize, often as a gesture of sympathy
Related Words or Phrases
- Affirmation
- Empathy
- Solidarity
Collocations
- Offer a consolation
- Draw consolation from
- Take comfort in
Frequency of Use
The word “consolation” is relatively infrequent in modern language, but it is often used in formal or literary contexts to convey a sense of comfort or solace.
Common Misspellings
- Conslolation
- Consilliation
- Consolationy