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

David Lee (Zach Grenier) becomes suspicious of the fourth years when he witnesses them congratulating each other in the office.
‘The Good Wife’ Is Back With a Terrific Fifth Season Premiere|Chancellor Agard|September 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Of course, Justin Trudeau lost no time in congratulating her on Twitter.
Top 10 Responses to Quebec’s Charter of Values|Sigal Samuel|September 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He handed the cable to a student, who began congratulating him.
How Do We Know a Theory is Correct?|David Frum|April 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Let me begin by congratulating President Obama on the start of his second term.
Full Text and Video of Marco Rubio's State of the Union Response|Justin Green|February 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Even in what seemed like an honest moment, Kimmel eked out a joke when congratulating Obama on his strength during tough times.
White House Correspondents Dinner: 9 Best Moments (Video)|Brittany Jones-Cooper|April 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He was congratulating himself that he might still be in time, when the faint echo of firearms was borne to him on the breeze.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
In his dressing-room Diotti was besieged by hosts of people, congratulating him in extravagant terms.
The Fifth String |John Philip Sousa
Laura was inclined to be reticent, but Tanqueray drew her out by congratulating her on her popularity, on the way she kept it up.
The Creators|May Sinclair
A third was parching some corn found in a thrown-away feed box, and congratulating themselves upon the lucky find.
Si Klegg, Book 2 (of 6)|John McElroy
Had she not just now been congratulating herself upon the disappearance of all worries in this sea air?
Plashers Mead|Compton Mackenzie

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