congratulate

Everyday

1. To congratulate someone means to tell them you are pleased about their success, good luck or happy event: we congratulated her on winning. tree →
2. To congratulate yourself means to feel pleased with yourself for something you did. tree →

In the lessons

Good manners and sport: after a game, congratulate the winners even if you lost («good game!»); on birthdays, new babies, weddings and prizes, people send cards saying «Congratulations!». At school, teachers congratulate pupils in assembly. Phrases: congratulate someone on, congratulate someone for, warmly congratulate, Congratulations!

Examples

• We congratulated Mia on winning the spelling bee. tree →
• Our team congratulated the winners after the match. tree →
• The head teacher congratulated the whole class. tree →
• I congratulated my aunt on her new baby. tree →
• Congratulations on passing your swimming test! tree →
• He congratulated himself on finishing the puzzle. tree →
• "To my lord Marquis of Carabas," replied the reapers; and the King again congratulated the Marquis. tree →

Note

Regular verb. Use «congratulate on» (+ noun or -ing): «congratulate you on your win». Noun: congratulations — usually plural, and spelled with «t», not «d» («congradulations» is a common mistake). Informal: «congrats».