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:
Spirits, if present, grace the scene, And if with me united, Then gratulate the king and queen, Their troth thus newly plighted!
From Faust — Part 1 by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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 William Shakespeare
This is the King, and here is the Gentleman, Which must thy comming gratulate a non, Pom.
From The Tragedy Of Caesar's Revenge by Anonymous
Much joy I hope you'l find, we came to gratulate your new knit marriage-band.
From Wit Without Money The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher by Francis Beaumont
A little burning air, which I shall soon prepare us, Above the earth will nimbly bear us, And, if we're light, we'll travel swift and clear: I gratulate thee on thy new career!
From Faust by Bayard Taylor
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 Sir Walter Scott
Ida found her companionship pleasant, and Mr. Woodstock con gratulated himself on having taken the right step.
From The Unclassed by George Gissing
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 Sir Walter Scott
"Watch the way they shake hands, watch the way they are con gratulating each other," said Prosecutor Chertoff.
From Time Magazine Archive
Whilst every heart a silent prayer bestowed, Slow to the convent's massy gate he rode: Around, the brothers, gratulating, stand, And ask for tidings of the southern land.
From The Poetical Works of William Lisle Bowles, Vol. 1 With Memoir, Critical Dissertation, and Explanatory Notes by George Gilfillan by George Gilfillan
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 Sir Walter Scott
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 Aubrey De Vere
He ended, and Achilles, godlike Chief, Smiled on him, gratulating his success,690 Whom much he loved; then, ardent, thus replied.
From The Iliad of Homer Translated into English Blank Verse by William Cowper by William Cowper
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.
