CONGRATULATIONS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does congratulations mean? 

• CONGRATULATIONS (noun)
  The noun CONGRATULATIONS has 1 sense:

1. an expression of approval and commendation

  Familiarity information: CONGRATULATIONS used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CONGRATULATIONS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An expression of approval and commendation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

congratulations; extolment; kudos; praise

Context example:

he always appreciated praise for his work

Hypernyms ("congratulations" is a kind of...):

approval; commendation (a message expressing a favorable opinion)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "congratulations"):

superlative (an exaggerated expression (usually of praise))

encomium; eulogy; paean; panegyric; pean (a formal expression of praise)

eulogium; eulogy (a formal expression of praise for someone who has died recently)

good word; recommendation; testimonial (something that recommends (or expresses commendation of) a person or thing as worthy or desirable)

compliment (a remark (or act) expressing praise and admiration)

 Context examples 

Before any answer could arrive from Mr. Collins, or any congratulations to Elizabeth from his wife, the Longbourn family heard that the Collinses were come themselves to Lucas Lodge.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Her congratulations were warm and open; but Emma could not speak so fluently.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Accordingly, these little birds hopped out with great dignity; leaving me to receive the congratulations of Traddles, and to feel as if I were translated to regions of exquisite happiness.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"To the right-about—every soul!" cried the master; "away with your congratulations! Who wants them? Not I!—they are fifteen years too late!"

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

But leave them I must, and that speedily, as I learned amidst the boisterous congratulations of my father and the tears of my mother.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

For Mrs. John Brooke, with the maker's congratulations and compliments.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Aylward at this order came shuffling forward amid the trees, and in an instant the two men were clinging in each other's arms, laughing and shouting and patting each other in their delight; while old Sir Nigel came running with his sword, under the impression that some small bickering had broken out, only to embrace and be embraced himself, until all three were hoarse with their questions and outcries and congratulations.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Finally, holding either arm, the two friends walked him very slowly down the garden walk which he had trod with such proud confidence when he received the congratulations of the famous diplomatist only a few hours before.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Quite unpractised in such sort of note-writing, had there been time for scruples and fears as to style she would have felt them in abundance: but something must be instantly written; and with only one decided feeling, that of wishing not to appear to think anything really intended, she wrote thus, in great trembling both of spirits and hand—I am very much obliged to you, my dear Miss Crawford, for your kind congratulations, as far as they relate to my dearest William.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

One other short call in Harley Street, in which Elinor received her brother's congratulations on their travelling so far towards Barton without any expense, and on Colonel Brandon's being to follow them to Cleveland in a day or two, completed the intercourse of the brother and sisters in town;—and a faint invitation from Fanny, to come to Norland whenever it should happen to be in their way, which of all things was the most unlikely to occur, with a more warm, though less public, assurance, from John to Elinor, of the promptitude with which he should come to see her at Delaford, was all that foretold any meeting in the country.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)