congratulate

1 of 2

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

congratulator

2 of 2

noun

con·​grat·​u·​la·​tor kən-ˈgra-chə-ˌlā-tər 

-jə-

plural -s

: one that congratulates

Synonyms of congratulate

Verb

• commend
• cheer
• hug
• compliment
• praise

Examples of congratulate in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

Owens was begrudgingly congratulated by Hitler, but neither he nor the other Black medalists were ever even acknowledged by Roosevelt, who had also refused to endorse a boycott of the Games—an effort led by Black and Jewish organizations that opposed both Nazism and American segregation. — Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026

In a clip shared on social media, a beaming Kolek could be seen trotting alongside the parade barricade, where scores of fans enthusiastically extended their hands to high-five the point guard and congratulate him. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026

Seated next to Harvey, Laila Edwards grew emotional while congratulating her longtime friend and teammate upon being selected. — ABC News, 17 June 2026

Zelenskyy concluded his post on X by congratulating Moldova for starting the negotiation process as well. — Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 17 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

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

Verb

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