console
An electronic device designed specifically for playing video games on a television or monitor; (verb) to comfort someone in a time of grief or disappointment.
As a noun in gaming, it refers specifically to dedicated hardware (like a PlayStation or Xbox) as opposed to a personal computer (PC) or mobile device.
Word relationships
- system: 'System' is a broader term that can include PCs, while 'console' is strictly a dedicated gaming appliance.
- platform: 'Platform' refers to the entire software and hardware ecosystem, whereas 'console' is the physical machine.
- distress: This antonym applies only to the verb form of 'console', meaning to cause anxiety or pain rather than comfort.
Commonly confused with
- cabinet: An arcade cabinet is a large, free-standing structure housing a game, whereas a console is a compact home appliance.
Word family
- consolation (noun): The comfort received by a person after a loss or disappointment.
- consoling (adjective): Serving to comfort someone.
Collocations
- gaming console
- home console
- next-gen console
- console exclusive
Example sentences
- "He bought the latest gaming console on its release day to experience the next generation of graphics." A discussion of home entertainment hardware.
- "Nothing could console her for the loss of her favorite companion." A classic literary usage of the verb form. (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice)
Memory hook
Think of a gaming console as a physical 'console' (cabinet) that houses all your favorite virtual worlds. A console sits on your shelf like an architectural bracket, supporting your gaming life.
When not to use
Do not use 'console' when referring to general-purpose computers, smartphones, or handheld tablets that are not dedicated gaming systems.
Fun facts
- The Magnavox Odyssey, released in 1972, was the world's first commercial home video game console.
Related words
Explore more words
solace, condolence, inconsolable, commiserate, soothe, palliative
Also appears in
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