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gratulate

American  
[grach-uh-leyt] / ˈgrætʃ əˌleɪt /

verb (used with object)

gratulated, gratulating
  1. to hail with joy; express joy at.

  2. to congratulate.


verb (used without object)

gratulated, gratulating
  1. to express joy.

gratulate British  
/ ˈɡrætjʊˌleɪt /

verb

  1. to greet joyously

  2. to congratulate

"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

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:

Sir, we all come to gratulate, for the good report of you.

From The Poetaster by Jonson, Ben

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 Beaumont, Francis

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

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 Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von

Upon thy sacred purple, barr'd with fire, I gratulate thee—glorious, lov'd attire!

From The Complete Works of Richard Crashaw, Volume II (of 2) by Crashaw, Richard

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

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

Ida found her companionship pleasant, and Mr. Woodstock con gratulated himself on having taken the right step.

From The Unclassed by Gissing, George

"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 Gilfillan, George

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

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 Cowper, William

Forth when Sire and Sons appeared A gratulating shout was reared, With din ...

From The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth, Volume IV (of 8) by Wordsworth, William

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