Condole vs. Console: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
To condole is to express sympathy for someone's grief, while to console is to provide comfort or solace to someone in distress.
Key Differences
"Condole" specifically refers to expressing sympathy, often in response to someone's loss or misfortune. "Console," however, involves offering comfort or solace to someone who is upset or distressed.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
While condoling often involves verbal expressions of sympathy, consoling can include both verbal and physical gestures of comfort. Condoling is more about sharing in someone's sorrow, whereas consoling is about alleviating that sorrow.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Condolence is typically formal and may be expressed in settings like funerals. Conversely, consoling is a more intimate act, often occurring in personal settings.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
The act of condoling is usually specific to situations of death or major loss. On the other hand, consoling can apply to a variety of distressing situations, not limited to grief.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
In condoling, one acknowledges and empathizes with another's loss. In contrast, consoling is about providing support and reassurance to someone in distress.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
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Comparison Chart
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Condole and Console Definitions
Condole
To empathize with someone's grief.
They sent a card to condole with their neighbor.
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Nov 22, 2023
Console
To alleviate the sorrow of someone.
She consoled her sister during the divorce.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Condole
To express sympathy on an occasion of sorrow.
They condoled with her after her father passed away.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Console
To offer words or actions of comfort.
They consoled each other in times of hardship.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Condole
To share someone's sadness.
He condoled with his friend over the loss of his job.
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Nov 22, 2023
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Console
To provide support in times of disappointment.
He consoled his team after the loss.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Condole
To be sympathetic towards someone's misfortune.
The community condoled with the victims of the flood.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Console
A central control panel for a mechanical, electrical, or electronic system.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Condole
(intransitive) To express sympathetic sorrow; to lament in sympathy (with someone on something).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Console
(Computers) The keyboard and monitor, considered as a unit by which a user provides input and receives output from a central processing unit.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Console
A computer system designed to play a specific format of video game using special controllers and a separate display, such as a television.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Console
(Music) The desklike part of an organ that contains the keyboard, stops, and pedals.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Condole
To express sympathetic sorrow; to grieve in sympathy; - followed by with.
Your friends would have cause to rejoice, rather than condole with you.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Console
A small storage compartment mounted between bucket seats in an automobile.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Condole
To lament or grieve over.
I come not, Samson, to condole thy chance.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Console
A small, freestanding cabinet, especially one housing a television or stereo equipment.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Condole
Express one's sympathetic grief, on the occasion of someone's death;
You must condole the widow
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Console
An often scroll-shaped bracket used for decoration or for supporting a projecting member, such as a cornice or shelf.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Condole
To offer verbal expressions of sympathy.
She condoled with the bereaved family at the funeral.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Console
A stand-alone cabinet designed to stand on the floor; especially, one integrated with home entertainment equipment, such as a TV or stereo system.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Console
A desk-like cabinet, table, or stand upon which controls, instruments, and displays are mounted.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Console
An instrument with displays and an input device that is used to monitor and control an electronic system.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Console
(video games) A consumer device dedicated to playing video games, with the ability to change games.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Console
(automotive) A storage tray or container mounted between the seats of an automobile.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Console
(architectural element) An ornamental member jutting out of a wall to carry a superincumbent weight, often S-shaped.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Console
(transitive) To comfort (someone) in a time of grief, disappointment, etc.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Console
To cheer in distress or depression; to alleviate the grief and raise the spirits of; to relieve; to comfort; to soothe.
And empty heads console with empty sound.
I am much consoled by the reflection that the religion of Christ has been attacked in vain by all the wits and philosophers, and its triumph has been complete.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Console
The controlling portion of an electrical, electronic, or mechanical device or system, from which the operator may observe the state of the system as indicated by gauges or on some form of display{n3}, and may direct or control the action of the system.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Console
The desklike controlling unit of an organ containing the keyboard, pedals, stops, etc. by means of which the organ is played.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Console
A home entertainment device such as a television, radio, phonograph, CD player, or combination of these, designed as a piece of furniture, to stand on the floor rather than on a table or in a separate cabinet; - also used attributively in the phrase console model.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Console
A scientific instrument consisting of displays and an input device that an operator can use to monitor and control a system (especially a computer system)
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Console
An ornamental scroll-shaped bracket (especially one used to support a wall fixture);
The bust of Napoleon stood on a console
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Oct 19, 2023
Console
To give comfort to someone in distress.
He tried to console her after her pet died.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Console
To soothe someone who is upset.
The teacher consoled the child who was crying.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can "condole" be used for minor losses?
Typically, it's reserved for significant losses.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
What's the difference in the intimacy level of "condole" vs. "console"?
"Console" is often more intimate than "condole."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Is "condole" a formal expression?
Generally, it's more formal than "console."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can "console" be used in any sad situation?
Yes, it's applicable in various distressing scenarios.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
How is consoling different in context?
It's broader and not limited to grief.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Is "condole" common in everyday language?
It's less common and more formal.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Do "condole" and "console" have the same origin?
Both have Latin origins but different meanings.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Does "console" involve physical comfort?
It can include both verbal and physical gestures of comfort.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can you console someone over a minor issue?
Yes, consoling applies to various levels of distress.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Is "condole" only related to death?
Mostly, but it can apply to other major losses.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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