How to Use Congratulate: Definition & Examples

Meaning 1：express happiness for someone's achievement (congratulate)

congratulate 🔊

/kənˈɡrætʃəleɪt/

vt.

To tell someone you are happy for them because of something good that has happened to them.

Illustration of congratulate meaning: two people celebrating an achievement with a thumbs-up and card

express happiness for someone's achievement 🔊

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/ɪkˈsprɛs ˈhæpɪnəs fɔr ˈsʌmwʌnz əˈtʃiːvmənt/

vt.

To congratulate someone is to verbally or physically show your pleasure and approval for their success or good fortune, often as a social gesture of support and encouragement.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：初级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Derived from Latin 'congratulari', from 'com-' (together) and 'gratulari' (to express joy), meaning 'to express joy together'.

💡 Mnemonic

Remember 'congratulate' as 'con-grat-ulate': imagine people coming together (con) to show gratitude (grat) for a happy event, making it easy to recall.

📖 Example

I immediately called to congratulate him when I heard he passed his important exam. 🔊 Upon hearing that he succeeded in his crucial test, I promptly phoned to offer my congratulations.

🔗 Collocations

congratulate someone on their achievement – to express joy for someone's accomplishment

offer heartfelt congratulations – to give sincere words of praise

formally congratulate – to express congratulations in an official manner

🔄 Synonyms

praise (vt.) – to express approval or admiration for someone or something

commend (vt.) – to praise formally or officially

applaud (vt.) – to show approval by clapping or speaking positively

🚫 Antonyms

criticize (vt.) – to point out the faults or shortcomings of someone or something

condemn (vt.) – to express strong disapproval or censure

🌱 Derivatives

congratulation (n.) – an expression of joy or approval for someone's success

congratulatory (adj.) – relating to or expressing congratulations

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'congratulate' originates from Latin 'congratulari', combining 'com-' (with) and 'gratulari' (to rejoice). It entered English in the 16th century, reflecting the act of sharing joy. In modern culture, it is commonly used in formal and informal settings to acknowledge achievements, such as graduations, weddings, or promotions, often accompanied by cards or gestures to symbolize social bonding.