celebratory

adjective

cel·​e·​bra·​to·​ry ˈse-lə-brə-ˌtȯr-ē 

ˌse-lə-ˈbrā-tə-rē

: of, relating to, expressing, or characterized by celebration

The tone of the article was celebratory.

Both band and audience seemed in celebratory moods, with massive cheers erupting when the lights went out …

—Emily Burnham

: used or intended for use in celebrating

We went for a celebratory drink after the game.

And you can even find meals that don't have any turkey at all; for many Westerners, Thanksgiving dinner is more about celebratory feasting than ironclad tradition, so chefs update their menus with everything from lobster with tomato-basil polenta to butternut squash lasagna.

—Colleen Dunn Bates

Also beginning in earnest is the crop of celebratory activities to mark the 250th anniversary of the quintessential college town.

—James Heflin

Examples of celebratory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Harvests are normally a celebratory time in this cocoa growing community. — Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Aug. 2026

Here, the subject matter is clear, and the tone, though solemn, is usually celebratory. — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026

As Perez spoke glowingly about Kansas City, the Royals contingent listened in a celebratory mood. — Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026

The 28-year-old then took a celebratory lap around London Stadium after cementing his place in track and field history. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for celebratory

• accusatory
• admonitory
• ambulatory
• amendatory
• circulatory
• combinatory
• commendatory
• compensatory
• condemnatory
• confirmatory
• confiscatory
• consolatory