English · Word Candidate

condolences

/kənˈdoʊlənsɪz/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

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

Noun

I sent her a card expressing my condolences after her mother passed away.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

Expressing sympathy to someone, especially after learning of a close death.

Interjection

"What were you doing at the cemetery?" "Burying my father." "Oh." Rodionov grunted as if he had expected a more imaginative excuse. "Condolences."

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “condolences” mean?

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

Is “condolences” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.