noun
Uncommon
condolences
kuhn-DOH-luhn-sihz
Condolences (noun) means Expressions of sympathy offered to someone who has suffered a loss, especially a death; used almost always in the plural. Example: “Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your father.”
noun
1
Expressions of sympathy offered to someone who has suffered a loss, especially a death; used almost always in the plural.
"Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your father."
How to use condolences
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe standard phrase used to express sympathy for someone's bereavement.
Common mistake
Almost always used in the plural, even referring to a single message of sympathy: "my condolences," not "my condolence."
Common pairings
offer condolences
my condolences
deepest condolences
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Please accept my deepest _____ on the loss of your father.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for condolences
See all rhymes for condolences →Frequently asked questions
What does “condolences” mean?
The word “condolences” means expressions of sympathy offered to someone who has suffered a loss, especially a death; used almost always in the plural. In plain terms, the standard phrase used to express sympathy for someone's bereavement.
How do you pronounce “condolences”?
“Condolences” is pronounced kuhn-DOH-luhn-sihz (/kənˈdoʊlənsɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “condolences” in a sentence?
Here is “condolences” used in a sentence: “Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your father.”
What part of speech is “condolences”?
“Condolences” is a noun.
Is “condolences” a common word?
“Condolences” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between "condolences" and "sympathy"?
"Condolences" specifically refers to expressions of sympathy offered to someone who has suffered a loss, especially a death, and is almost always used in the plural. "Sympathy" is broader and can be expressed for any kind of hardship or misfortune, not only bereavement.
Why is "condolences" always used in the plural?
"Condolences" is used almost always in the plural because it refers to the collective expressions of sympathy offered to a grieving person, such as "my condolences" or "our condolences." The singular form "condolence" exists but is rarely used in everyday speech.
What is the correct way to offer condolences?
Offering condolences typically involves a brief, sincere expression of sympathy to someone who has suffered a loss, such as "please accept my condolences" or "my deepest condolences on your loss." The phrasing is meant to acknowledge grief respectfully rather than to elaborate at length.
