Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

condolence

/kənˈdoʊləns/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.78 in modern English

Syllables: con-do-lence
IPA: /kənˈdoʊləns/

15

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Comfort, support or sympathy.

Uncountable

noun

An expression of comfort, support, or sympathy offered to the family and friends of somebody who has died.

Countable

Example Sentences

"There was not much to do after the accident but offer what condolence I could."
"I sent her a card expressing my condolences after her mother passed away."

Etymology

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

Origin

Source language: Middle French

Word Breakdown

Root: *delh₁-, condoléance, condoleō

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /kənˈdoʊləns/

Usage

Inflected Forms

condolences (plural) condoleance (alternative, obsolete) condolance (alternative, obsolete)

Phrases

book of condolence condolence card

Synonyms

commiseration

Questions

How do you pronounce condolence?: The recorded pronunciation is /kənˈdoʊləns/.
What does condolence mean?: Comfort, support or sympathy.
Where does condolence come from?: It is traced to Middle French.

How to pronounce condolence

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “condolence”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/kənˈdoʊləns/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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Repeat and practice — Say “condolence” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.