congratulatory

adjective

con·​grat·​u·​la·​to·​ry kən-ˈgra-chə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē 

-ˈgra-jə-

: expressing or conveying congratulations

a congratulatory message

As the magnitude of our discovery began to sink in, I thought to myself, "I think I know how we're going to be spending the next 20 years." I turned to shake hands and receive congratulatory hugs from our ecstatic workmen.

—Kent R. Weeks

see also self-congratulatory

Examples of congratulatory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So, Quick returned and Bobrovsky was the first to embrace him and share a few congratulatory words. —CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

So, yes, the jersey orders are now in place, but first there was Monday night’s congratulatory call from her brother. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026

Former president Barack Obama posted a congratulatory message on social media, as did former vice president Kamala Harris. —Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026

Following her dad's big win at the 2026 Actor Awards, Auden shared a congratulatory tribute on her Instagram Stories to commemorate the occasion. —Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing congratulatory

• self-congratulatory

Rhymes for congratulatory

• adjudicatory
• anticipatory
• articulatory
• classificatory
• conciliatory
• discriminatory
• ejaculatory
• emancipatory
• hallucinatory
• interlaboratory
• interrogatory
• investigatory

Kids Definition

congratulatory

adjective

con·​grat·​u·​la·​to·​ry

kən-ˈgrach-(ə-)lə-ˌtōr-ē, 

-ˌtȯr-

: expressing congratulations