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congratulate

[kuh n-grach-uh-leyt or, often, -graj-, kuh ng-] /kənˈgrætʃ əˌleɪt or, often, -ˈgrædʒ-, kəŋ-/
verb (used with object), congratulated, congratulating.
1.
to express pleasure to (a person), as on a happy occasion:
They congratulated him on his marriage.
2.
Archaic. to express sympathetic joy or satisfaction at (an event).
3.
Obsolete. to salute.
Origin
Latin
1540-1550
1540-50; < Latin congrātulātus, past participle of congrātulārī. See congratulant, -ate1
Related forms
congratulator, noun
precongratulate, verb (used with object), precongratulated, precongratulating.
uncongratulated, adjective
uncongratulating, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2014.
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Examples from the web for congratulate
  • Yes, it's smarmy to compliment or congratulate people in whom your only interest is what they can do for your career.
  • Murphy and congratulate him with this, the highest compliment.
  • If somebody beats you up, you're not going to congratulate them.
  • Also congratulate yourself for any advance preparation you've already done.
  • We congratulate you on winning this trip and know you are having a great experience.
  • Control to congratulate them at the welcome ceremony.
  • And then they will congratulate him again on his newest.
  • But it gets you on television, and your mates no doubt congratulate you afterwards at the pub.
  • We can disagree with some of his beliefs and still be fans of his show, and still congratulate him for helping so many animals.
  • Many of the comments urge the founders well and congratulate them on their tremendous payday.
British Dictionary definitions for congratulate

congratulate

/kənˈɡrætjʊˌleɪt/
verb (transitive)
1.
(usually foll by on) to communicate pleasure, approval, or praise to (a person or persons); compliment
2.
(often foll by on) to consider (oneself) clever or fortunate (as a result of): she congratulated herself on her tact
3.
(obsolete) to greet
Derived Forms
congratulation, noun
congratulator, noun
congratulatory, congratulative, adjective
Word Origin
C16: from Latin congrātulārī, from grātulārī to rejoice, from grātus pleasing
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word Origin and History for congratulate
v.

1540s, from Latin congratulatus, past participle of congratulari "to congratulate" (see congratulation). Related: Congratulated; congratulating.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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