To express pleasure and praise to someone for success, progress, or good news.
Reach for it when recognizing another person's welcome outcome directly
The coach called to congratulate every runner who completed the difficult course.
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| literary |
playful
Fits when a social ritual of good wishes suits the occasion
Careful A toast may involve alcohol and is wrong for many settings.
everyday
Fits when shared joy and recognition go beyond words
Careful Celebrating can happen without addressing the person who succeeded.
everyday
Fits when approval of conduct or quality is central
Careful Praise does not require a success or good event.
warm
Fits when a specific favorable remark is being offered
Careful A compliment may concern taste or appearance rather than an achievement.
professional
Fits when visible approval of an action or decision matters
Careful Applaud can be figurative and need not convey personal good wishes.
literary
Fits when ceremonial congratulations require a rare formal verb
Careful Most readers will find felicitate archaic or unnatural.
congratulate someone
Please congratulate someone by naming what their effort achieved.
congratulate the winner
The finalists stayed to congratulate the winner after the count.
quick to congratulate
She was quick to congratulate the rival team on its careful work.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated
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