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

According to a June 16 release posted by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, there are no flights scheduled for several hours in the early afternoon of July 3 to allow for aerial rehearsals, and no flights after noon on July 4 for celebratory aerial performances and fireworks. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2026

Sacramento resident Dimisha Rodgers said the chaotic and celebratory atmosphere of the train allowed for friendship between fans, a component of game culture. — Ekasha Sikka, Mercury News, 24 June 2026

Father’s Day was supposed to be celebratory. — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 24 June 2026

The fighters who found themselves in better positions were celebratory. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 23 June 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