congratulate

[ kuh n-grach-uh-leyt or, often, -graj-, kuh ng- ]

/ kənˈgrætʃ əˌleɪt or, often, -ˈgrædʒ-, kəŋ- /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR congratulate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), con·grat·u·lat·ed, con·grat·u·lat·ing.

to express pleasure to (a person), as on a happy occasion: They congratulated him on his marriage.

Archaic. to express sympathetic joy or satisfaction at (an event).

Obsolete. to salute.

Words nearby congratulate

congolese, congophilic angiopathy, congou, congrats, congratulant, congratulate, congratulation, congratulations, congratulatory, congregant, congregate

Origin of congratulate

1540–50; < Latin congrātulātus, past participle of congrātulārī. See congratulant, -ate¹

OTHER WORDS FROM congratulate

con·grat·u·la·tor, nounpre·con·grat·u·late, verb (used with object), pre·con·grat·u·lat·ed, pre·con·grat·u·lat·ing.un·con·grat·u·lat·ed, adjectiveun·con·grat·u·lat·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for congratulate

My beef is not with Jolie, whom I congratulate on her work, and admire as human being simply trying to do a little bit of good.
WTF Is Damgelina Doing At The Palace?|Tom Sykes|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Other times I would say how wonderful it was to see him, and congratulate him on all the success that had come his way.
How Mork Melted the Fonz: Henry Winkler Recalls Robin Williams’s Storming ‘Happy Days’ Debut|Tim Teeman|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Miss Delaware Pageant is proud to congratulate Brittany and wishes Amanda the very best on her future endeavors.
24 Is Not Too “Old” to Compete for Miss America|Erin Cunningham|June 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“I should congratulate Adriano for doing the best with what he had to work with,” Rangel said.
Charlie Rangel Dances On|Gideon Resnick|June 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

One day Ebadi arrived at the Ministry of Justice to congratulate the revolutionary officials who had taken power.
The Hijab Is Iran’s Most Cherished Weapon|IranWire|June 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
However, so deep was the prince's passion for me, that very soon he began to congratulate himself on the change.
The Grey Fairy Book|Various
On the contrary, I sincerely admire you—and congratulate you!
The Romantic Lady|Michael Arlen
You seem to have weather both clear and warm, for which I congratulate you.
Letters to an Unknown|Prosper Mrime
He had reason to congratulate himself in having got outside the enclosure.
The Free Lances|Mayne Reid
He had no time to congratulate himself on his good fortune, for something stirred outside.
Voyage To Eternity|Milton Lesser

British Dictionary definitions for congratulate

congratulate

/ (kənˈɡrætjʊˌleɪt) /

verb (tr)

(usually foll by on) to communicate pleasure, approval, or praise to (a person or persons); compliment

(often foll by on) to consider (oneself) clever or fortunate (as a result of)she congratulated herself on her tact

obsolete to greet

Derived forms of congratulate

congratulation, nouncongratulator, nouncongratulatory or congratulative, adjective

Word Origin for congratulate

C16: from Latin congrātulārī, from grātulārī to rejoice, from grātus pleasing

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

congratulate

verb (used with object), con·grat·u·lat·ed, con·grat·u·lat·ing.

Words related to congratulate

Words nearby congratulate

Origin of congratulate

OTHER WORDS FROM congratulate

Examples from the Web for congratulate

British Dictionary definitions for congratulate

verb (tr)

Derived forms of congratulate

Word Origin for congratulate