congratulate

verb

con·​grat·​u·​late kən-ˈgra-chə-ˌlāt 

-ˈgra-jə-

congratulated; congratulating

transitive verb

1

: to express vicarious pleasure to (a person) on the occasion of success or good fortune

graciously congratulated the winner

also : to feel pleased with

congratulating herself for a job well done

2

archaic : to express sympathetic pleasure at (an event)

3

obsolete : salute, greet

congratulator

kən-ˈgra-chə-ˌlā-tər 

-ˈgra-jə-

noun

Synonyms

• compliment
• felicitate
• hug

Examples of congratulate in a Sentence

I'd like to congratulate you on your success.

She congratulated us on our test results.

She congratulated herself for getting the best grade in her class.

Recent Examples on the Web

Owens also was angered that Roosevelt hadn’t congratulated any of the Black Olympic athletes. —Ronald G. Shafer, Washington Post, 21 July 2024

The following month, the news broke when comedian Phoebe Robinson posted a photo of the two on Instagram to congratulate the newlyweds. —Jacqueline Weiss, Peoplemag, 20 July 2024

Harris left Vance a voicemail Monday night, congratulating him and encouraging him to accept an August 13th Vice Presidential debate, NBC previously reported. —Josephine Rozzelle,rebecca Picciotto,dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 16 July 2024

The Washington Post even congratulated itself for its new coverage of Biden’s failings. —Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin congratulatus, past participle of congratulari to wish joy, from com- + gratulari to wish joy, from gratus pleasing — more at grace

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

congratulate

verb

con·​grat·​u·​late kən-ˈgrach-ə-ˌlāt 

congratulated; congratulating

: to express pleasure to on account of success or good fortune

congratulate the winner

Etymology

from Latin congratulatus "has wished joy," derived from Latin con-, com- "with, together" and gratulari "to wish joy," from gratus "pleasing, agreeable, thankful" — related to grace, gratitude