consolation
C1Formal, Neutral. Common in written English and thoughtful speech.
Definition
Meaning
Comfort received by a person after a loss or disappointment; something that makes you feel better in a sad situation.
A person or thing that provides comfort in times of disappointment or sadness; the act of consoling; the state of being consoled. Also used in competitive contexts for a secondary prize.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Carries a nuance of comfort offered *after* a negative event (loss, failure, bad news). It implies acknowledgment of the loss while trying to alleviate the pain. The 'consolation prize' meaning is a common metaphorical extension.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Spelling and usage are identical.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. The word itself has the same emotional weight.
Frequency
Equally common in both BrE and AmE, with similar frequency distributions across registers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
consolation for [NP]consolation in [NP/V-ing]consolation that [clause]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cold comfort”
- “a consolation prize”
- “small consolation”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically: 'The rising stock price was small consolation for the loss of market share.'
Academic
Common in literature, philosophy, and psychology texts discussing grief, tragedy, or ethics.
Everyday
Frequent in discussions of personal setbacks, sports losses, or minor disappointments.
Technical
Not typically used in technical fields like STEM. May appear in counselling/psychology contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- console
American English
- console
adverb
British English
- consolingly
American English
- consolingly
adjective
British English
- consolatory (formal)
- consoling
American English
- consolatory (formal)
- consoling
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He found consolation in his favourite biscuits after losing the game.
- It was a small consolation that the weather was nice.
- The team's only consolation was that they had played well.
- She offered words of consolation to her friend after the bad news.
- The knowledge that he had tried his best was little consolation for the defeat.
- For many, religion provides consolation in times of grief.
- The novel explores the bleak landscape of grief where conventional consolations seem inadequate.
- Philosophy served as his chief consolation amidst the political turmoil.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CONSOLE (to comfort) + -ATION (the act/result of). When you console someone, you give them CONSOLATION.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMFORT IS A PHYSICAL OBJECT/PRESENCE (receive/offer consolation); A SECONDARY BENEFIT IS A CONSOLATION PRIZE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'утешение' in all contexts; it can sound overly literary. In casual speech, 'it made me feel a bit better' is often more natural than 'it was a consolation.'
- Do not confuse with 'consolidation' (укрепление, объединение).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'consulation' (mixing with 'consultation').
- Using it as a verb ('I consolated him' is wrong; correct verb is 'console').
- Overusing in informal spoken contexts where simpler words like 'comfort' fit better.
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase best describes the core meaning of 'consolation'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a positive response to a negative situation. The word itself is positive (comfort), but its use always implies a preceding disappointment or loss.
'Comfort' is broader and can be physical or emotional. 'Consolation' is specifically emotional comfort given after a loss or failure. 'Consolation' is often slightly more formal.
No. The verb form is 'to console'. 'Consolation' is only a noun.
A prize given to a competitor who does not win, to make them feel less disappointed. It's a very common metaphorical use of the word.
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