congratulation
Americannoun
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the act of congratulating.
-
congratulations, an expression of joy in the success or good fortune of another.
interjection
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of congratulation
1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin congrātulātiōn- (stem of congrātulātiō ), equivalent to congrātulāt ( us ) ( see congratulate) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
Congratulation is what you offer when someone accomplishes something positive or has a happy life event. Applause after a performance, shouting "Way to go!" or sending a nice card — all express congratulations. The noun congratulation comes from the Latin word congratulari, which means “with joy.” The word is usually used in the plural form: congratulations. Any achievement can bring you others' congratulations, from big things like receiving an award or graduating, to more everyday things like making the swim team or getting a good grade on a test. If someone is proud of you and happy for what you've done, congratulations are in order.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Congratulation to the Dodgers on their 11-1 victory winning them the pennant.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 20, 2017
Congratulation to all the Redline riders with your national titles for 2006.
From Time Magazine Archive
From these collections Mr. Willever culled and issued in 1915 a grey booklet of "suggestions" for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Birthday, Wedding, Birth, Death, Congratulation messages.
From Time Magazine Archive
Congratulation, not reproach, is in order for the men responsible.
From Time Magazine Archive
On the Sacred Memory of our late Sovereign; with a Congratulation to his present Majesty, fol.
From The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume III by Cibber, Theophilus
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
