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

The Senate Leadership Fund, the main super PAC for Senate Republicans, released a statement congratulating Nordone’s nomination. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 13 July 2026

Speaker Yuri Bohlen congratulated Edmondson for replacing a council member who resigned amid recall efforts. — Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2026

Tommy Hilfiger teased it with an Instagram post on Wednesday congratulating Kelce on his wedding last week to Taylor Swift. — Lisa Gutierrez july 9, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

About a dozen people, including Thompson’s brother, gathered outside the courthouse after the trial to congratulate her. — Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 9 July 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