congratulation

IPA/kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃn/
KK[kənɡrˌætʃəlˈeʃən]IPA/kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃn/

congratulation — noun

1. Praise or good wishes that people offer to another person to mark a success, suc

1.nounA2
Definition

Praise or good wishes that people offer to another person to mark a success, such as getting a new job, or a happy moment in their life.

Example

Jack sent his congratulations to Sari after she won a prize in the science fair.

collocation: send + congratulations

A card of congratulations arrived from the mayor after the team won the championship.

noun phrase: a card of congratulations

Common collocations
  • warm congratulations
  • heartfelt congratulations
  • sincere congratulations
  • offer congratulations
  • extend congratulations
  • send congratulations
  • congratulations on
  • congratulations for
  • congratulations card
Synonyms
  • praise

    more general; can refer to approval of character or effort, not only achievements

  • kudos

    informal, mainly British English; often used in a casual context

  • accolades

    more formal and usually refers to public honor or awards

  • compliments

    focuses on admiration for appearance, skill, or taste rather than achievement

Antonyms
  • condolence

    expression of sympathy for loss or misfortune, the opposite emotional context

Grammar Patterns

congratulations + on + noun/gerund

congratulations + for + noun/gerund

Usage Note

This sense appears almost always in the plural form 'congratulations,' whether referring to a single instance or many. The singular 'congratulation' is extremely rare in modern English outside of very formal or dated writing.

Common Mistakes

I want to give my congratulation to the winner.
I want to give my congratulations to the winner.
Always use the plural form 'congratulations' for this sense, even for one person or one event.
Congratulations for your kindness.
Congratulations on your promotion.
Use 'congratulations on' for achievements and events, not for personal qualities.

2. The giving of words of praise or good wishes to someone for an achievement or a

2.nounB2
Definition

The giving of words of praise or good wishes to someone for an achievement or a happy event, treated as an action or process rather than as a specific message.

Example

Nkechi accepted the award with humble congratulations directed toward her teammates.

collocation: with + congratulations (manner)

A speech of congratulations was given at the farewell dinner for Mr. Kwame.

passive: speech of congratulations was given

Common collocations
  • in congratulation
  • letter of congratulation
  • word of congratulation
  • speech of congratulation
  • humble congratulations
  • join in the congratulations
  • a round of congratulations
Synonyms
  • commendation

    more formal and often implies official recognition or approval from an authority

  • felicitation

    very formal and rare in everyday speech; used mostly in ceremonial language

Grammar Patterns

in congratulation (formal fixed phrase)

letter of congratulation

speech of congratulation

Usage Note

Unlike sense 1, this uncountable sense treats congratulation as an action or process, not as specific words. The singular form 'congratulation' (without -s) appears in fixed formal phrases such as 'letter of congratulation,' 'in congratulation,' and 'speech of congratulation,' but this is increasingly rare and many modern writers use the plural 'congratulations' even for these phrases.

Common Mistakes

He made a congratulation to the team.
He offered his congratulations to the team.
'Make congratulation' is not a natural English collocation; use 'offer,' 'extend,' or 'send' with the plural form.
A letter of congratulation is too formal for this situation.' (
correct but rare)
Many modern speakers would say 'a letter of congratulations' instead; the singular form is grammatically correct but sounds dated.

Word family

  • congratulate
    verbB1
  • congratulatory
    adjectiveC1
  • congratulant
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All five words express approval or admiration, but 'congratulations' is unique in tying directly to an achievement or life event — you congratulate someone for a promotion, a baby, or a prize. 'Praise' is much broader, covering approval of character, effort, or work ('praise for his honesty'). 'Kudos' is informal and often used like an exclamation ('Kudos to the team!'), common in British English but less formal than congratulations. 'Accolades' suggests public awards or formal recognition, often plural and ceremonious. 'Compliments' focus on appreciation of appearance, taste, or manners rather than achievement. For everyday life events, use 'congratulations.' For general approval of effort, use 'praise.'

congratulations ↗praise ↗kudos ↗accolades ↗compliments ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • a word of congratulation
  • a round of congratulations
  • in congratulation

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'congratulatio' meaning 'expression of joy,' built from the prefix 'con-' meaning 'together' and 'gratulari' meaning 'to show joy' or 'to wish joy.' The underlying root 'grat-' is related to 'grace' and 'gratitude,' all carrying a sense of thanks or favor. The word entered English through French in the 16th century, originally carrying a stronger sense of shared rejoicing. Over time, it narrowed to focus specifically on praise for success rather than shared celebration more broadly.