congratulate

[kuhn-grach-uh-leyt, -graj-, kuhng-]

verb (used with object)

congratulated, congratulating 

1. to express pleasure to (a person), as on a happy occasion.

   They congratulated him on his marriage.

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

3. Obsolete.,  to salute.

congratulate

/ kənˈɡrætjʊˌleɪt /

verb

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

2. (often foll by on) to consider (oneself) clever or fortunate (as a result of)

   she congratulated herself on her tact

3. obsolete,  to greet

Other Word Forms

• congratulator noun
• precongratulate verb (used with object)
• uncongratulated adjective
• uncongratulating adjective
• congratulation noun
• congratulatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of congratulate¹

1540–50; < Latin congrātulātus, past participle of congrātulārī. See congratulant, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of congratulate¹

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

Example Sentences

You have to wonder if Reagan might have been talking about him when he said this in his address congratulating Canadians on their election in 1988:

Read more on Salon

Irish President Michael D Higgins has congratulated his successor Catherine Connolly after her landslide election win.

Read more on BBC

Morgan congratulated the Plaid Cymru candidate and said the by-election was held "in the toughest of circumstances and in the midst of difficult headwinds nationally".

Read more on BBC

They’re building it as fast as physically possible while Americans congratulate themselves for using paper straws.

Read more on MarketWatch

Her children stayed by her side, her daughters rubbing her back, as people came by to congratulate her on her release.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• applaud 
• laud 
• praise 
• salute