condolence n : an expression of sympathy with another's grief; "they sent their condolences" [syn: commiseration]

English

Pronunciation

Noun

1. (uncountable) comfort, support or sympathy

   There was not much to do after the accident but offer what condolence I could.

condolences (always plural)

1. 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.

Translations

• French: condolence: réconfort, condolences: condoléances

Derived terms

• book of condolence

When someone condoles, or offers their condolences to, a particular situation or person, they are offering active, conscious support of that person or activity. Often, the English language expression "my condolences" will be in a context, such as death of a friend's loved one, in which the one offering condolences is compelled to feel pity towards the unfortunate party. But condolences can also be offered by friends or supporters of circumstances that are legally debatable, such as the justifiability of a domestic abuse victim killing her/his abusive partner. In this case, some might offer their condolences to the victim, while others might not.

aid and comfort, assurance, benevolence, clemency, comfort, commiseration, compassion, consolation, easement, encouragement, favor, feeling, forbearance, forgiveness, grace, humanity, kindness, leniency, mercy, mitigation, pardon, pathos, pity, quarter, reassurance, relief, reprieve, ruth, self-pity, shred of comfort, solace, solacement, support, sympathy