congratulate

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

/ kənˈgrætʃ əˌleɪt or, often, -ˈgrædʒ-, kəŋ- /

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See synonyms for congratulate on Thesaurus.com

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.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of congratulate

1540–50; <Latin congrātulātus, past participle of congrātulārī.See congratulant, -ate¹

OTHER WORDS FROM congratulate

con·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. 2023

How to use congratulate in a sentence

Brendon loses no time in congratulating Elle on her new love connection, forcing Elle back to Darcy for answers.
‘Written in the Stars’ is a ‘Pride and Prejudice’ reboot that’s charming, effervescent and entirely itself|Ellen Morton|November 10, 2020|Washington Post
She congratulated Gloria, the mayor-elect, but had a score to settle.
Morning Report: All Eyes on Council President Race|Voice of San Diego|November 10, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Within an hour, Katie’s phone dinged with an email from VEX Robotics, congratulating the RoboKnights on qualifying for the regional tournament.
This AI whiz could be the next Elon Musk or Steve Jobs, but first she has to navigate being 18|Taylor Telford|November 5, 2020|Washington Post
“I have called Sara Jacobs to congratulate her and I stand ready to work with her to advance just policies that will benefit working families and ensure that our recovery from this pandemic leaves no one behind,” Gómez wrote, in a press release.
Morning Report: Dems Take County Control|Voice of San Diego|November 4, 2020|Voice of San Diego

We regularly self-congratulate ourselves, yet I have seen the same patterns over and over.
Racism allegations at Gallaudet U pushed two officials to resign, they say. The school says it’s now committing to permanent changes.|Lauren Lumpkin|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
Tweeting and Instagramming about their participation, making themselves the story like they want to be congratulated.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Protesting|Rawiya Kameir, Judnick Mayard|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“My prom date got ahold of my number and called me recently and congratulated me on everything that's going on,” says Trainor.
‘All About That Bass’ Singer Meghan Trainor On Haters and Her Polarizing (and Unlikely) No. 1 Hit|Marlow Stern|October 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Coalition country and U.N. leaders congratulated the government of Afghanistan on a successful election.
The View of Iraq From Troops in Afghanistan|Nick Willard|June 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And a lawyer friend of mine congratulated me on what he said was the first legal brief in history to go viral.
My Reverse-Cyrano Moment Wooing the Supreme Court|P. J. O’Rourke|March 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sure, she was more expensive than an au pair, but, we congratulated ourselves, she spoke English and she knew what she was doing.
Kate Hired a Spanish Nanny And Who Can Blame Her? English Nannies Suck|Tom Sykes|March 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Each one congratulated himself that his special teachings had accomplished this desired end.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
We shook each other by the hand, and congratulated one another mutually, as if we had done some great and heroic deed.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
Baroness Orczy is to be congratulated on a distinctly ingenious idea.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 147, November 4, 1914|Various
She congratulated me with apparent frankness, and asked for Miss Treherne's address, saying she would write to her.
Mrs. Falchion, Complete|Gilbert Parker
He congratulated her on her good fortune, and on the advantage it might prove to the true Church.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 17, No. 101, March, 1866|Various

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 forms of congratulate

congratulation, 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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

congratulate

Origin of congratulate

OTHER WORDS FROM congratulate

Words related to congratulate

How to use congratulate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for congratulate

Derived forms of congratulate

Word Origin for congratulate