con-

together, with; sometimes thoroughly

Forms

con-
com- — Used before certain consonants, especially b, p, and m.
col- — The final consonant changed before l.
cor- — The final consonant changed before r.
co- — The final consonant was lost in some combinations.

Origin

From Latin cum, “with,” and an older form com-.

Note

Togetherness could extend to completeness. Not every word containing this prefix retains an obvious “with” meaning.

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verb

congratulate

kuhn-GRACH-uh-layt/kənˈɡrætʃəleɪt/

To express pleasure or pride in someone's success or good fortune.

The friends congratulate the graduate with delighted smiles and warm handshakes.

Friends congratulate a Black graduate with warm handshakes and delighted expressions.

Etymology

conLatintogether, with; sometimes thoroughly

+gratulateLatingive thanks, show joy

Showing joy with another person is the central connection: to congratulate people is to express that you share their pleasure in success or good fortune.

In context

IIEA37:49

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the government of Ireland for its outstanding campaign and successful election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Parfait Onanga Anyanga - Politics and Governance in the Horn of Africa

More examples

Her manager congratulates her on the promotion.
The coach congratulated the team on winning the championship.
Everyone is congratulating you on your graduation.

Forms

congratulate · congratulates · congratulated · congratulating

congratulation noun — An expression of pleasure at someone's success.

congratulatory adjective — Expressing pleasure in another person's success.

Similar words

praise: Expresses approval more broadly, not just for success or good fortune.
commend: Usually recognizes specific actions or qualities with formal approval.