congratulate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to express pleasure to (a person), as on a happy occasion.
They congratulated him on his marriage.
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Archaic. to express sympathetic joy or satisfaction at (an event).
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Obsolete. to salute.
verb
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(usually foll by on) to communicate pleasure, approval, or praise to (a person or persons); compliment
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(often foll by on) to consider (oneself) clever or fortunate (as a result of)
she congratulated herself on her tact
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obsolete to greet
Other Word Forms
- congratulation noun
- congratulator noun
- congratulatory adjective
- precongratulate verb (used with object)
- uncongratulated adjective
- uncongratulating adjective
Etymology
Origin of congratulate
1540–50; < Latin congrātulātus, past participle of congrātulārī. See congratulant, -ate 1
Explanation
When you congratulate someone, you give that person praise — or maybe even a party to congratulate him or her on a job well done. The word congratulate is linked to the Latin word congratulari, meaning “wish joy.” When you congratulate someone, you wish him or her joy, usually to celebrate an accomplishment or good fortune. Your joy can take the form of verbal praise (“Well done!”), a letter or card offering good wishes, a rowdy high five, or even a big chocolate cake. You can also congratulate yourself for reaching a long-time goal.
Vocabulary lists containing congratulate
"Raymond's Run"
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"A Poem for My Librarian, Mrs. Long," Vocabulary from the poem
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Week 1: Cultural Exchange
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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.
If she were still alive, I would congratulate her on her fearless outreach and her ability to find joy in the most fleeting encounters.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026
President Volodymyr Zelenksy was quick to congratulate Magyar on Sunday night, writing on X that he looked forward to "constructive work" together.
From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026
“There’s a lot of product, a lot of Gucci,” de Meo said as he walked from his seat to the backstage area to congratulate Demna.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
When it comes to smog, let’s not congratulate ourselves too much; it was technology that did the heavy lifting, not demanding much in the way of sacrifice or even change in our behavior.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
She thought of the thief’s phrase, I congratulate you all on your pursuit of the truth.
From "Chasing Vermeer" by Blue Balliett
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.
