celebrate
SEHL-ih-brayt
Celebrate (verb) means to mark a special event or achievement with enjoyment, often through some kind of gathering or ritual. Example: “They celebrated their anniversary with a trip to Paris.”
verb
1
To mark a special event or achievement with enjoyment, often through some kind of gathering or ritual.
"They celebrated their anniversary with a trip to Paris."
"The whole town celebrated when the team won the championship."
"We always celebrate my sister's birthday with a big family lunch."
2
To honour someone or something publicly, often through a formal or ceremonial act.
"The priest celebrated Mass every Sunday morning."
"The museum will celebrate the life of the poet with a public ceremony."
"Each year the village celebrates its founder with a parade and speeches."
How to use celebrate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo mark a happy or important occasion, usually by doing something enjoyable together.
Common pairings
celebrate a birthday
celebrate with friends
cause for celebration
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- celebrates
- Past tense
- celebrated
- Archaic forms
- celebratest, celebratedst, celebrateth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They _____ their anniversary with a trip to Paris.
Etymology
From Latin celebrāre ("to frequent, honour, or praise"), from celeber ("crowded, famous"). It replaced the native Old English word fæġnian.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for celebrate
See all rhymes for celebrate →Frequently asked questions
What does “celebrate” mean?
The word “celebrate” means to mark a special event or achievement with enjoyment, often through some kind of gathering or ritual. In plain terms, to mark a happy or important occasion, usually by doing something enjoyable together.
How do you pronounce “celebrate”?
“Celebrate” is pronounced SEHL-ih-brayt (/ˈsɛl.ə.bɹeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “celebrate” in a sentence?
Here is “celebrate” used in a sentence: “They celebrated their anniversary with a trip to Paris.”
What part of speech is “celebrate”?
“Celebrate” is a verb.
Where does the word “celebrate” come from?
The word “celebrate” comes from Latin. From Latin celebrāre ("to frequent, honour, or praise"), from celeber ("crowded, famous"). It replaced the native Old English word fæġnian.
Is “celebrate” a common word?
“Celebrate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “celebrate” have?
“Celebrate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to mark a special event or achievement with enjoyment, often through some kind of gathering or ritual.
What is the difference between "celebrate" and "commemorate"?
To celebrate is to mark an occasion with joy and enjoyment, usually a happy one like a birthday or victory. To commemorate is to honour and remember something, often more solemnly, such as a battle, a loss, or an anniversary. You celebrate good news, but you commemorate events that call for respect.
What is an example of celebrating something?
Throwing a birthday party, raising a toast to a promotion, holding a wedding reception, setting off fireworks on a national holiday, or having a family meal after good exam results are all ways of celebrating. Each marks an event with enjoyment, company, and some kind of ritual.
Why do people celebrate?
People celebrate to share joy, mark milestones, and give important moments weight. Celebrations strengthen bonds between family and friends, create lasting memories, and offer a break from routine. They also pass on culture and values, turning private happiness or collective achievement into something shared and remembered.
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