congratulate

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /kənˈɡræ.t͡ʃʊˌleɪt/ or /-t͡ʃə-/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /kənˈɡræ.d͡ʒʊˌleɪt/ or /-d͡ʒə-/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• Audio (US)

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Verb

Plain form congratulate

Third-person singular congratulates

Past tense congratulated

Past participle congratulated

Present participle congratulating

1. To congratulate somebody is to tell them that they did a good job.

Usage notes

The word "congratulate" is sometimes incorrectly spelled as "congradulate", influenced by the word "graduate". The word "congratulate" actually comes from a Latin words con and gratulari (also gives the word "gratitude"), meaning "with expression of joy". In contrast, "graduate" comes from the Latin word graduatus, meaning "to take a degree".