congratulations
/kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃənz/
noun
Origin
Latin
congratulari — to wish joy
Overview
Meaning Now
- An expression of praise for an achievement or good fortune.
- The act of acknowledging someone's success or happy occasion.
Literal older meaning
a wishing of joy together
Language path
Latin → Middle French → English
Earliest form
congratulatio
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The word evolved from the Latin 'gratulari', which is deeply connected to 'gratus' (pleasing, thankful). While originally a formal act of joint rejoicing, it shifted in English to become a standard interjection used to honor personal success.
Evolution
- Classical Latin
congratulari
“to join in rejoicing”
- Late Latin
congratulatio
“act of congratulating”
- Middle French
congratulation
“the act of wishing joy”
- Early Modern English
congratulations
“expressions of joy for another”
Transition from singular abstract noun to plural exclamatory form
Connections
Word parts
con-
prefix
with/together
grat-
root
pleasing/thankful
-ulation
suffix
process or state
-s
ending
plural marker
Related across languages
French
félicitations
congratulations
Spanish
felicitaciones
congratulations
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Related to congratulations
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.