congratulation
Americannoun
-
the act of congratulating.
-
congratulations, an expression of joy in the success or good fortune of another.
interjection
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of congratulation
1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin congrātulātiōn- (stem of congrātulātiō ), equivalent to congrātulāt ( us ) ( see congratulate) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
Congratulation is what you offer when someone accomplishes something positive or has a happy life event. Applause after a performance, shouting "Way to go!" or sending a nice card — all express congratulations. The noun congratulation comes from the Latin word congratulari, which means “with joy.” The word is usually used in the plural form: congratulations. Any achievement can bring you others' congratulations, from big things like receiving an award or graduating, to more everyday things like making the swim team or getting a good grade on a test. If someone is proud of you and happy for what you've done, congratulations are in order.
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.
Haydon thanked friends, family and strangers for their messages of congratulation.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 14, 2024
“She is proud of her table arrangement and thinks she deserves a word of congratulation — but the housekeeper must tell Betty that she has noticed a few errors.”
From Salon • Nov. 15, 2023
John Gielgud famously declined to accept his best supporting actor Oscar in 1982, saying: "I really detest all the mutual congratulation baloney and the invidious comparisons" that award shows evoke.
From BBC • Sep. 15, 2021
And when the Suns guard began dating Kendall Jenner, you can bet Middleton’s friend knew about it because of all the congratulation tags and messages — funny news to the married father of four.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2021
Among the chanters was Reyna herself, who held up her hand and grasped Percy’s in congratulation.
From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan
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.
