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

As Flores was still celebrating, Bjornsson — the previous deadlift world-record holder (510kg) — stomped up to him and reached out to grasp his rival, but only to offer a congratulatory hug of genuine warmth and affection. — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Following the announcement, friends and fans shared congratulatory messages for the growing family. — ABC News, 6 Sep. 2026

Meantime, two other players whose respective careers crossed over with much of Federer’s also sent congratulatory messages, 39-year-old Gael Monfils and 35-year-old Grigor Dimitrov. — Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

It was followed by a succession of opening tour spots with Gracie Abrams (who surprised them with a congratulatory cake), James Taylor, Sarah McLachlan, and Noah Kahan. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 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