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 of congratulate

• commend
• cheer
• hug
• compliment
• praise

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

Christian Democrat candidate Sven Schulze took to the stage on Sunday evening to congratulate the AfD on its win. — Esme Nicholson, NPR, 6 Sep. 2026

And yes, Seaborn hails from Hawaii, which would explain why Tua Tagovailoa's mom was on the scene last night to congratulate him on breaking the state's passing record. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Several of Crowder’s Tell Me Lies costars congratulated her in the comment section. — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images Nobody runs onto the field to congratulate a goalkeeper for routinely catching a cross she was supposed to catch, LeBlanc explains. — Asli Pelit, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for congratulate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

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