congratulate
[ kuh n-grach-uh-leyt or, often, -graj-, kuh ng- ]
/ kənˈgrætʃ əˌleɪt or, often, -ˈgrædʒ-, kəŋ- /
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.
Nearby words
congolese, congophilic angiopathy, congou, congrats, congratulant, congratulate, congratulation, congratulations, congratulatory, congregant, congregate
Origin of congratulate
Related formscon·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. 2019
Examples from the Web for congratulate
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 Formscongratulation, 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
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Word Origin and History for congratulate
congratulate
1540s, from Latin congratulatus, past participle of congratulari "to congratulate" (see congratulation). Related: Congratulated; congratulating.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper