C1verb 2K

Congratulate

🇬🇧 UK /["/kənˈɡrætʃəleɪt/","/kənˈɡrætʃəleɪts/","/kənˈɡrætʃəleɪtɪd/","/kənˈɡrætʃəleɪtɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/kənˈɡrætʃəleɪt/","/kənˈɡrætʃəleɪts/","/kənˈɡrætʃəleɪtɪd/","/kənˈɡrætʃəleɪtɪŋ/"]/

Meaning of Congratulate

to tell somebody that you are pleased about their success or achievements

In simple words: To tell someone that you are happy for their success.

Congratulate in a sentence

• I congratulated them all on their results.
• The authors are to be congratulated on producing such a clear and authoritative work.
• I must congratulate you on your excellent exam results.
• Please join me in congratulating Luke on an outstanding season.
• She congratulated me warmly on my performance.
• The President himself is here to personally congratulate the winner.
• The company is to be congratulated on its success.
• The employees should be congratulated for the part they have played in the success.
• You can congratulate yourself on having done an excellent job.
• The organizers are congratulating themselves on attracting record numbers to the event.

How to use Congratulate

Use this word when someone achieves something, like a birthday or a promotion. It's neutral and suitable for both formal and informal situations.

Grammar pattern

congratulate + object

Memory hint

Think of 'congratulate' as 'congrats to you'!

Related words

Collocations with Congratulate

• heartily
• warmly
• personally
• have to
• must
• want to
• for
• on
• somebody is to be congratulated
• to join somebody in congratulating somebody

Synonyms for Congratulate

• commend
• praise
• acknowledge
• salute

Opposites of Congratulate

• criticize
• blame

Common mistakes with Congratulate

• Confusing 'congratulate' with 'compliment'
• Using it without an object, like saying 'I congratulate' instead of 'I congratulate you'
• Saying 'congratulations for' instead of the correct 'congratulations on'

Frequently asked questions about Congratulate

What does Congratulate mean?

To tell someone that you are happy for their success.

What is the definition of Congratulate?

to tell somebody that you are pleased about their success or achievements

How do you use Congratulate in a sentence?

I congratulated them all on their results.

Can you give another example of Congratulate?

The authors are to be congratulated on producing such a clear and authoritative work.

What are synonyms for Congratulate?

Common alternatives include commend, praise, acknowledge, salute.

What is the opposite of Congratulate?

Opposite meanings include criticize, blame.

What words go with Congratulate?

It commonly pairs with heartily, warmly, personally, have to, must, want to, for, on, somebody is to be congratulated, to join somebody in congratulating somebody.

What are common mistakes when using Congratulate?

Confusing 'congratulate' with 'compliment' Using it without an object, like saying 'I congratulate' instead of 'I congratulate you' Saying 'congratulations for' instead of the correct 'congratulations on'

How do you pronounce Congratulate?

US: /["/kənˈɡrætʃəleɪt/","/kənˈɡrætʃəleɪts/","/kənˈɡrætʃəleɪtɪd/","/kənˈɡrætʃəleɪtɪŋ/"]/, UK: /["/kənˈɡrætʃəleɪt/","/kənˈɡrætʃəleɪts/","/kənˈɡrætʃəleɪtɪd/","/kənˈɡrætʃəleɪtɪŋ/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Congratulate?

Use this word when someone achieves something, like a birthday or a promotion. It's neutral and suitable for both formal and informal situations.

What CEFR level is Congratulate?

"Congratulate" is at C1 level on the CEFR scale.