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
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.
At the beginning of Wednesday’s broadcast, Goldberg congratulated her co-star and said the baby boy was 7 pounds and measured 19 1/2 inches, eliciting cheers from the in-studio audience.
From Los Angeles Times
On the one hand, the FA can congratulate itself at securing the services of the elite coach who flawlessly guided England to World Cup qualification on a deal stretching to Euro 2028.
From BBC
Masud is alleged to have claimed that he was later congratulated in person by the late Libyan dictator Colonel Gaddafi, for carrying out "a great national duty" against the Americans.
From BBC
Tajik and Kyrgyz athletes for years would not even congratulate each other at competitions, as their countries were locked in a long border dispute.
From Barron's
“This is good news,” Emma whispers to me while the rest of my family congratulates Andre on being a somewhat likable person.
From Literature
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.
