congratulation

[kuhn-grach-uh-ley-shuhn, -graj-, kuhng-]

noun

1. the act of congratulating.

2. congratulations, an expression of joy in the success or good fortune of another.

interjection

1. congratulations, (used to express joy in the success or good fortune of another).

   Congratulations! You have just won the lottery!

Other Word Forms

• congratulational adjective
• precongratulation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of congratulation¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin congrātulātiōn- (stem of congrātulātiō ), equivalent to congrātulāt ( us ) ( congratulate ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

"When I saw the word 'congratulations', I froze for a moment," he recalls.

From BBC

"He went from an aside on the back pages to the main headline in every paper, he had congratulations from the King, and suddenly everyone wanted to be associated with him."

From BBC

I first want to say congratulations to all the 2025 Emmy nominees.

From Los Angeles Times

I looked at that list of nominees that I’m in the company of, and I send my congratulations to all of them.

From Los Angeles Times

One walked in with wide eyes and arms raised, screaming "Mabrook" in Arabic, translating as "congratulations", almost in disbelief as to what he had witnessed.

From BBC

Related Words

• applause 
• commendation 
• felicitation 
• salute