solace
Americannoun
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comfort in sorrow, misfortune, or trouble; alleviation of distress or discomfort.
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something that gives comfort, consolation, or relief.
The minister's visit was the dying man's only solace.
verb (used with object)
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to comfort, console, or cheer (a person, oneself, the heart, etc.).
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to alleviate or relieve (sorrow, distress, etc.).
noun
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comfort in misery, disappointment, etc
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something that gives comfort or consolation
verb
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to give comfort or cheer to (a person) in time of sorrow, distress, etc
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to alleviate (sorrow, misery, etc)
Other Word Forms
- solacer noun
- unsolaced adjective
- unsolacing adjective
Etymology
Origin of solace
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English solas, from Old French, from Latin sōlācium, equivalent to sōl (ārī) “to comfort” + -āc- adjective suffix + -ium -ium
Explanation
If something eases your disappointment or grief, consider it a solace. If you're sad, you might find solace in music or in talking to your friends. It is no surprise that consolation and solace are similar in meaning as they share a root in the Latin verb sōlārī, "to comfort." In fact, solace and consolation are synonyms meaning "relief from grief or disappointment." When you go to sleepaway camp, your parents will miss you, but they'll find solace in knowing that you are having fun.
Vocabulary lists containing solace
The Giver
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A Spelling Bee for Fun
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NAEP Test Words
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Girls of all ages were quick to point out the benefits of finding like-minded people who might live far away, and of the solace that could offer.
From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026
However, they do find a little solace for stocks at least, because rebalancing flows from multiasset investors implies some $65 billion in equity buying and equivalent selling of bonds once the first quarter ends.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026
During the pandemic, I found solace in attending their weekly yoga classes called BreatheGood.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026
The $325 pivot was taken out on Feb. 13, but the bulls can take solace in the bullish morning star completed on Feb. 25.
From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026
But if you do not find solace there, perhaps you should take up embroidery.
From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
