Felicitate
What it means
To congratulate someone or celebrate their success.
Reach for it when offering ceremonious congratulations in a fitting register
Colleagues gathered to felicitate Mei on her promotion.
Words to choose between 6
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
|
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playful
Fits when a gathering raises a drink in someone's honor
Careful Toast requires that ritual and is too narrow for a letter.
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everyday
Fits when visible approval from a group is the point
Careful Applaud can support an idea without conveying good wishes.
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everyday
Fits when direct familiar good wishes are appropriate
Careful Congratulate lacks the deliberate ceremonial flavor.
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warm
Fits when shared joy matters more than the spoken wish
Careful Celebrate may focus on the event rather than the achiever.
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professional
Fits when specific conduct deserves official praise
Careful Commend evaluates merit rather than marking a happy occasion.
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formal
Fits when public recognition of merit is central
Careful Honor can occur without addressing congratulations to the person.
Opposites 3
- condemn
- criticize
- commiserate
Common phrases 3
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felicitate someone
The chair rose to felicitate someone from each winning team.
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felicitate the winner
Community leaders came to felicitate the winner after the final.
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formally felicitate
The academy will formally felicitate its retiring fellows.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated