express condolences
English Meaning & Definitions
To formally or sincerely convey sympathy and sorrow to someone who has experienced a loss, such as a death in the family.
- “The mayor visited the grieving family to express condolences on behalf of the entire city.”
- “It is customary to send a card to express condolences when you cannot attend the funeral in person.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “express condolences”.
The phrase combines 'express' (from Latin 'expressus', meaning 'pressed out' or 'clearly stated') and 'condolences' (from Late Latin 'condolere', meaning 'to suffer together'). Historically, it reflects the social obligation to share in the grief of another, literally 'feeling with' the bereaved.
Think of 'con' (with) + 'dole' (grief/sorrow) - you are expressing that you are 'with' them in their 'dole' (sorrow).
Frequently Asked Questions About “express condolences”
1. What is the meaning of “express condolences” in English?
In English, express condolences (idiom) is defined as: “To formally or sincerely convey sympathy and sorrow to someone who has experienced a loss, such as a death in the family.”.
2. How do you use “express condolences” in a sentence?
“The mayor visited the grieving family to express condolences on behalf of the entire city.”
3. What are English synonyms of “express condolences”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “express condolences”?
The phrase combines 'express' (from Latin 'expressus', meaning 'pressed out' or 'clearly stated') and 'condolences' (from Late Latin 'condolere', meaning 'to suffer together'). Historically, it reflects the social obligation to share in the grief of another, literally 'feeling with' the bereaved.
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