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

During an interview with a reporter, Taylor shook Jones’s hand and congratulated him on earning the position. —Nicole Asbury, Washington Post, 25 June 2024

Downstairs, Jeremy Pope and Teyana Taylor congratulated each other on their surprise celebrity cameos earlier in the show. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 24 June 2024

What surprised Johnson most is that the majority of people who’ve reached out to congratulate him didn’t recognize his voice at first. —Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2024

The two had never met before the Masters, which Pavon had qualified for after winning at Torrey Pines, but DeChambeau made a point of finding him at Augusta National and congratulating him on the biggest win of his career. —Dave Skretta, Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 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