gratulate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to hail with joy; express joy at.
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to congratulate.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to greet joyously
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to congratulate
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of gratulate
1550–60; < Latin grātulātus (past participle of grātulārī to express joy), equivalent to grātul- express joy, congratulate, thank (derivative of grātus pleasing) + -ātus -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.
See Examples For:
Which glorious act of his for church and state Eight princes in one day did gratulate.
From Highways and Byways in Sussex by Griggs, Frederick Landseer Maur
Haile to thee worthy Timon and to all that of his Bounties taste: the fiue best Sences acknowledge thee their Patron, and come freely to gratulate thy plentious bosome.
From Timon of Athens by Shakespeare, William
Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much goodness: There’s more behind that is more gratulate.
From Measure for Measure The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [9 vols.] by Glover, John, librarian of Trinity College, Cambridge
Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much goodness There's more behind that is more gratulate.
From Measure for Measure by Shakespeare, William
Shadwell, moreover, had not failed to hail the dawn of the Revolution by a congratulatory poem to the Prince of Orange, and to gratulate its completion by another inscribed to Queen Mary on her arrival.
From The Dramatic Works of John Dryden, Volume 1 With a Life of the Author by Saintsbury, George
The edict of the Emperor upon the occasion, therefore, passed into a law, acknowledged by the assent of the chiefs present, and especially affirmed and gratulated by the shouts of the assembled spectators.
From Waverley Novels — Volume 12 by Scott, Walter, Sir
Ida found her companionship pleasant, and Mr. Woodstock con gratulated himself on having taken the right step.
From The Unclassed by Gissing, George
Some recognised the man, whose appearance and features were not easily forgot, and gratulated him upon his most unexpected return to the service of his country.
From Waverley Novels — Volume 12 by Scott, Walter, Sir
"Watch the way they shake hands, watch the way they are con gratulating each other," said Prosecutor Chertoff.
From Time Magazine Archive
Fiercely ere long Their gratulating shout aloft had leaped But Hilda laid her finger on her lip, Or provident lest praise might stain the pure, Or deeming song a gift too high for praise.
From Legends of the Saxon Saints by De Vere, Aubrey
The next was to embrace me tenderly,—"My dear—dear son!"—Owen secured one of my hands, and wetted it with his tears, while he joined in gratulating my return.
From Rob Roy — Volume 02 by Scott, Walter, Sir
Whereat the idle multitude lift up their voices, gratulating, celebrating sky-high; in rhyme and prose announcement, more than plentiful, that now the New Era, and long-expected Year One of Perfect Human Felicity has come.
From Latter-Day Pamphlets by Carlyle, Thomas
As if exhausted in the fight, Or musing o'er the piteous sight, The silent victor stands: His beaver did he not unclasp, Marked not the shouts, felt not the grasp Of gratulating hands.
From Notes and Queries, Number 80, May 10, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Various
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.
