congratulate
[kuh n-grach-uh-leyt or, often, -graj-, kuh ng-]
- 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.
Show More
Origin of congratulate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for congratulate
Contemporary Examples
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.
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’ DebutTim Teeman
August 12, 2014
The Miss Delaware Pageant is proud to congratulate Brittany and wishes Amanda the very best on her future endeavors.
“I should congratulate Adriano for doing the best with what he had to work with,” Rangel said.
One day Ebadi arrived at the Ministry of Justice to congratulate the revolutionary officials who had taken power.
Historical Examples
"I congratulate you, Miss Porter," he said, raising his hat.
ThoroughbredsW. A. Fraser
When I meet that Woodville boy I'm going to congratulate him.
The Rock of ChickamaugaJoseph A. Altsheler
"I congratulate you on your success in evading it," observed Brentwick, undisturbed.
The Black BagLouis Joseph Vance
You have foiled me, and conquered: be it so; I congratulate you.
Alice, or The Mysteries, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
People would talk of it, approve of it, and congratulate him.
A Comedy of Marriage and Other TalesGuy De Maupassant
congratulate
- (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
Show More
Word Origin
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
Word Origin and History for congratulate
v.
1540s, from Latin congratulatus, past participle of congratulari "to congratulate" (see congratulation). Related: Congratulated; congratulating.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper