mazel tov

or ma·zal tov

[ mah-zuhl tawv, tawf, tohv ]

/ ˈmɑ zəl ˌtɔv, ˌtɔf, ˌtoʊv /

Yiddish.

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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!”

QUIZ

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Origin of mazel tov

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

Words nearby mazel tov

Mazatec, Mazatlán, Mazda, Mazdaism, maze, mazel tov, mazer, mazey, mazopathia, mazopathy, Mazu

How to use mazel tov in a sentence

Yes, the first line uttered by a black female cast regular since 2007 was “Mazel tov.”
How Did Sasheer Zamata Do in Her Saturday Night Live Debut?|Kevin Fallon|January 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Author Gary Shteyngart was even congratulatory: “Mazel Tov, Random Penguin!”
The Victims of the Penguin & Random House Merger: Literary Agents|Ella Delany|November 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
An Israeli lawyer says that Shem-Tov, who plead not guilty, was recently rearrested after he broke his house arrest.
Israel’s Campaign To Halt Organ Trafficking Tourism|Rob Verger|March 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Two years later, in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Andrews shouted “Mazel tov!”
Look Who's Talking Yiddish!||July 15, 2011|DAILY BEAST

To all of that that I say Mazel Tov, and John, Charlie, and Julian, have a glass of Manischewitz Concord Grape on me.
Anti-Semitic Celebrity Meltdowns|Eric Alterman|March 4, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The tribe of Mazel abounds in the Cevennes, and they had already given many martyrs to the cause.
The Huguenots in France|Samuel Smiles.
Since the discussion had become envenomed, Mazel had been ringing his bell, extremely flushed at finding his authority ignored.
His Masterpiece|Emile Zola
At the outset of the sitting the brigadier had come to him, saying: 'There was a mistake yesterday, Monsieur Mazel.
His Masterpiece|Emile Zola
Only, some of the committee-men laughed and nudged each other, at which Mazel felt very hurt, and became very fierce.
His Masterpiece|Emile Zola
He greeted his aged father with a smile, and wished him good 'Yom Tov' and bowed his head for his father's blessing.
Pictures of Jewish Home-Life Fifty Years Ago|Hannah Trager