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

Some fans even brought giant congratulatory signage, wore wedding dresses of their own, and documented the fireworks that went down when their digital pets sealed their unions. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 11 Aug. 2025

On Thursday, with his firm’s stake in Figma approaching $3.8 billion, Reed took to X for his congratulatory remarks. —Ari Levy, CNBC, 31 July 2025

In the comments section, John also received congratulatory messages from fans and fellow stars, including Billie Jean King, Christina Perri and more. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 30 July 2025

Fans and friends were quick to share their congratulatory messages in the comment section. —Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 22 July 2025

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