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

Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, meanwhile, congratulated the U.S. president-elect. —Reuters, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024

The episode ends with Melissa returning to school the next day with crutches and a cast, and Lisa congratulates Gregory on diffusing Darnell’s act of aggression. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024

The Republican Party of Kentucky wasted no time congratulating Trump and his running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio. —Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024

Garvey, addressing his supporters in Rancho Mirage, congratulated Schiff on the win. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 5 Nov. 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