congratulate

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

Synonyms

• compliment
• felicitate
• hug

Examples of congratulate in a Sentence

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

To seal the night, a sky-high Principessa cake illuminated with sparklers made the rounds, as revelers congratulated the brand’s team and soaked in the festive atmosphere. —Vogue, 5 Dec. 2024

In response, the city's official Facebook page posted a statement congratulating Vance on Wednesday. —Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 5 Dec. 2024

Meghan congratulated the charity on their 10-year anniversary last year with a message shared by Smart Works on their Instagram page. —Monique Jessen, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024

Musk on Wednesday congratulated Isaacman in a post on X. Isaacman in 2022 partnered with Musk and SpaceX to pay for and launch the Polaris Program, a series of three private spaceflights to test technologies and maneuvers for exploration beyond Earth’s orbit. —Denise Chow, NBC News, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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

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