felicitate
UK/fә'lisiteit/US
GREC2
Definitions
v.
To congratulate; to express good wishes on a happy occasion
祝贺，庆贺
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedfelic (happy) + -ate (to make/do) = "to wish joy upon, to make happy." From the Latin sense of celebrating someone's good fortune. Today it is a formal, ceremonial stand-in for congratulate.
Root felic still carries 3 more wordsUsage Guide
Formal and ceremonial; in British and especially Indian English it appears in official speeches and notices. In everyday American/British conversation, congratulate is the natural choice — felicitate can sound stilted.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The chairman felicitated the winners on their remarkable achievement.
- 2.
Guests gathered to felicitate the couple on their wedding.
- 3.
She wrote to felicitate her colleague on the promotion.