Congratulations

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /kənˌɡɹæt͡ʃəˈleɪʃ(ə)nz/

Definitions

1. An expression used to praise or offer good wishes for someone's success or happy event
2. Words or phrases conveying approval and joy for someone's achievement or special occasion
3. A spoken or written message recognizing and celebrating another person's accomplishment or good fortune

Etymology: Congratulations began as a Latin verb meaning to rejoice together. "Congrātulor" combined "con-" (with, together) and "grātulor" (to express joy, to wish someone well), and the Romans used it for a shared celebration rather than a polite compliment. The noun "congrātulātiō" carried the same sense of joint gladness, and it passed into English through Middle French, appearing in Middle English as "congratulacion." The word is the plural of "congratulation," which the source records as a noun formed by adding "-ion" to the verb "congratulate." In English, the plural form became the standard set phrase used to greet someone on good news, so most speakers now know it only as a single expression rather than as a noun with a singular.

Synonyms: kudos, commendations, felicitations, applause, cheers