Congratulation

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /kənˌɡɹæd͡ʒʊˈleɪʃ(ə)n/

Definitions

1. A remark or gesture that conveys happiness and recognition for someone's accomplishments or milestones is often used during celebrations
2. A statement expressing joy and approval in response to another person's achievements or significant events is commonly shared in festivities
3. An expression of joy and admiration typically offered to acknowledge someone's success or special occasion

Etymology: Latin "congratulari" meant to express joy with someone, built from "com-" (with) and "gratulari" (to show gladness, from "gratus", pleasing or grateful). The noun "congratulatio" was the act of doing so, and English took the word through Middle French, so the root idea is shared joy rather than praise for an achievement alone. The noun is a fairly direct descendant of that Latin form, passing through Middle English "congratulacion" before settling into its modern spelling. The "-ate" in "congratulate" is the Latin verb ending, and "-ation" marks the noun formed from it, which is why the word reads as a verb with an extra suffix on top. The sense of "gladness with you" is a useful reminder that the word began as an expression of shared feeling. Its modern use at celebrations keeps that core: the speaker is sharing in another person's good fortune.

Synonyms: commendation, felicitation, applause, kudos, celebration

Antonyms: condolence, sympathy, disapproval