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con|sole (consoles , consoling , consoled ) The verb is pronounced /kənsoʊ l/. The noun is pronounced /kɒ nsoʊl/. 1 VERB If you console someone who is unhappy about something, you try to make them feel more cheerful. □ [V with quote] 'Never mind, Ned,' he consoled me. □ [V n] Often they cry, and I have to play the role of a mother, consoling them. □ [V pron-refl + with ] I can console myself with the fact that I'm not alone. □ [V pron-refl that] He consoled himself that Emmanuel looked like a nice boy, who could be a good playmate for his daughter. [Also V n with/for n, V n that] [Also V pron-refl + for ] ●  con|so|la|tion /kɒ nsəle I ʃ ^ə n/ (consolations ) N‑VAR □ [+ for ] The only consolation for the Scottish theatre community is that they look likely to get another chance. □  He knew then he was right, but it was no consolation.

2 N‑COUNT A console is a panel with a number of switches or knobs that is used to operate a machine.

con|soli|date /kənsɒ l I de I t/ (consolidates , consolidating , consolidated )

1 VERB If you consolidate something that you have, for example power or success, you strengthen it so that it becomes more effective or secure. □ [V n] Many young singers started and consolidated their careers at Covent Garden.

2 VERB To consolidate a number of small groups or firms means to make them into one large organization. □ [V n] The state has 60 days to consolidate Louisiana's four higher-education boards.

con|som|mé /kɒnsɒ me I , [AM ] kɒ nsəme I / (consommés ) N‑VAR [oft n N ] Consommé is a thin, clear soup, usually made from meat juices. □  …chicken consommé.

con|so|nant /kɒ nsənənt/ (consonants ) N‑COUNT A consonant is a sound such as 'p', 'f', 'n', or 't' which you pronounce by stopping the air flowing freely through your mouth. Compare vowel .

con|sort (consorts , consorting , consorted ) The verb is pronounced /kənsɔː ^r t/. The noun is pronounced /kɒ nsɔː ^r t/. 1 VERB If you say that someone consorts with a particular person or group, you mean that they spend a lot of time with them, and usually that you do not think this is a good thing. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + with ] He regularly consorted with known drug-dealers.

2 N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE [oft n N ] The ruling monarch's wife or husband is called their consort . □  At tea-time, Victoria sang duets with her Consort, Prince Albert. □  She was surely the most distinguished queen consort we have had.

con|sor|tium /kənsɔː ^r tiəm/ (consortia /kənsɔː ^r tiə/ or consortiums ) N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A consortium is a group of people or firms who have agreed to co-operate with each other. □  The consortium includes some of the biggest building contractors in Britain.

con|spicu|ous /kənsp I kjuəs/

1 ADJ If someone or something is conspicuous , people can see or notice them very easily. □  He spent his money in a conspicuous way on fast cars and luxury holidays. □  You may feel tearful in situations where you feel conspicuous. ●  con|spicu|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □  Johnston's name was conspicuously absent from the list.

2 PHRASE If you say that someone or something is conspicuous by their absence , you are drawing attention to the fact that they are not in a place or situation where you think they should be. □  He was conspicuous by his absence in the post-match celebrations.