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.
Etymology
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
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.
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.