Word
consoling
Phoneticscon·sol·ing, stress on the second syllable
US/kənˈsoʊɫɪŋ/
UK/kˈɒnsəʊlɪŋ/
Definition
adj. making you feel better when you are sad or upset. You use it for kind words, hugs, or actions that comfort you.
adj. providing comfort or reassurance to someone who is sad or disappointed. Often describes words, gestures, or presence that reduce distress.
Examples
“She gives her friend a consoling hug.”
“After the team loses the final, the coach offers consoling words to the disappointed players.”
“There was something consoling about the familiar kitchen sounds drifting upstairs while she studied late into the night.”
Examples
simple
“She gives her friend a consoling hug.”
contextual
“After the team loses the final, the coach offers consoling words to the disappointed players.”
complex
“There was something consoling about the familiar kitchen sounds drifting upstairs while she studied late into the night.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “consoling” in context.
Verb
01. consoling to hear
“It was consoling to hear that our neighbours wanted to help.”
adj + to-infinitive
02. consoling to know
“It is consoling to know that you are not alone in this.”
adj + to-infinitive
03. find consoling
“I find his calm voice very consoling when I am anxious.”
verb + adj
Adjective
04. deeply consoling
“His letter after the funeral was deeply consoling for the whole family.”
adv + adj
05. genuinely consoling
“Her kind message was genuinely consoling after my exam failure.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. consoling hug
“She gave her crying son a warm consoling hug.”
adj + noun
07. consoling smile
“He gave me a consoling smile after I lost the match.”
adj + noun
08. consoling thought
“It is a consoling thought that friends are thinking of us.”
adj + noun
09. consoling word
“The teacher had a consoling word for every disappointed student.”
adj + noun
10. a deeply consoling message
“She sent a deeply consoling message after the accident.”
11. find it consoling to know
“I find it consoling to know my family supports me.”
12. it was consoling to hear
“It was consoling to hear kind words from my teacher.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies; also follows linking verbs such as 'be' or 'feel'.
Real-World Examples
“Coach Mauricio Pochettino consoled defender Jeffrey Richards after Monday's defeat” “Sir David was seen being consoled by his wife who appeared equally upset as England's World Cup dream came to an end.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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