mazel tov

or ma·zal tov

[mah-zuh l tawv, tawf, tohv]Yiddish.

noun

an expression of congratulations and best wishes, used chiefly by Jews: A chorus of mazel tovs greeted the newlyweds as they circulated from table to table.

interjection

Congratulations!; Best wishes!: “Mazel tov,” Grandpa said as he thrust a five-dollar bill into my pocket. “I'm so proud of you!”

Origin of mazel tov

1860–65; < Yiddish mazltov < Hebrew mazzāl tōbh literally, good luck

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Word Origin and History for mazel tov

1862, from modern Hebrew mazzal tob "good luck," from Hebrew mazzaloth (plural) "constellations."

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper