Console
/kənˈsoʊl/
nounverbB2
Definition
As a noun, a console is an object like a small table or a device with controls, such as for video games or machines. As a verb, to console means to give comfort or support to a person who is feeling sad, worried, or hurt.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Noun: A small table or control device
- •The TV console holds the television and speakers.
- •He bought a new video game console for his birthday.
- •The airplane's cockpit has many consoles with buttons and screens.
Verb: To comfort or support someone emotionally
- •She tried to console her friend after the bad news.
- •He was consoled by his family when he felt lonely.
- •It’s important to console children when they are scared.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "console" like "help" (A1 word), but specifically helping someone feel better emotionally.
- ✓Picture a friend putting their arm around you when you feel sad—that is consoling.
- ✓It's the feeling when someone listens to your problems and makes you feel less alone.
- ✓Sounds like "con-SOUL" → imagine giving comfort to someone's soul (their feelings inside).
- ✓Think of a video game console, a box you hold to control a game—like a small control table (noun meaning).
- ✓NOT like "ignore" (to not pay attention), "console" means to pay attention and care.
- ✓NOT like "fix" (to repair something broken), "console" is about feelings, not objects.
- ✓NOT like "console" the noun (small table) is different from "console" the verb (comforting someone).
Try Other Words
- •Comfort: to make someone feel better when sad (Use when focusing on emotional support)
- •Support: to give help or strength (Use when help is more general, not only emotional)
- •Table: a piece of furniture (Use when "console" means a small table)
- •Device: a machine or tool (Use when "console" means a control panel or electronic device)
Unboxing
- •Prefix/root/suffix: "con-" (together, with) + "sole" (from Latin "solari," meaning to comfort)
- •Etymology: From Latin "consolari," meaning to comfort or relieve sadness
- •Historical development: The verb was used first in English in the 1400s to mean comforting someone; noun use for furniture or control panel came later
- •Modern usage: Both noun and verb forms are common today; verb mainly about emotional support, noun about furniture or electronic devices
Reflect & Connect
•How do you think people show they want to console someone without using words?
•Can technology, like a video game console, also provide comfort or console people? How?
Fill in the blanks
1.When her pet died, her friends tried to console her by ___ ___ ___.
2.A video game console usually has many buttons and ___ to control the game.
3.People often console others by ___ ___ ___ and listening carefully.
4.The new TV console in the living room is made of ___ wood and glass.
5.After the accident, family members consoled him because he felt ___ and scared.
6.Consoling someone is different from fixing a problem because it focuses on ___, not things.
7.He did not ignore her sadness; instead, he tried to console her with kind ___ and ___.