condolences
- 01 C1 Advanced
n.messages or words of sympathy that you give to someone when a person they love has died.
n.formal expressions of sympathy and sorrow offered to a bereaved person. Usually plural in form.
Simple“We sent a card to express our deepest condolences to the family.”
In context“The Prime Minister offered his sincere condolences to the victims' families during the televised address.”
UsageCommonly used with the verbs 'offer', 'express', or 'send'.
PitfallI gave him my condolence. I offered him my condolences.In modern English, this word is almost always used in the plural form when expressing sympathy.
- 02 C1 Advanced
interj.a polite word you say directly to someone to show you are sorry for their loss.
interj.an utterance used to convey sympathy directly to a bereaved individual.
Simple“Condolences on the passing of your father; he was a wonderful man.”
In context“Condolences to you and your family during this incredibly difficult time.”
Teacher's tipWhile grammatically an interjection here, it remains a very formal choice; 'I'm so sorry' is more common in casual speech.
SynonymsI am sorry for your loss
“The singer's death has prompted an outpouring of condolences, with the community council organising a book of memories at the Ostreme centre.”
“I offer my deepest condolences to the families of those involved,” said Arsenio Dominguez, head of the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO).”
From Latin condoleo (“I feel another's pain”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.