Agency Dictionary
Celebrate
verbPronunciation: /ˈsɛl.ə.breɪt/
In Portuguese: Celebrar
Psychology & MindWhat does “Celebrate” mean?
To acknowledge a significant occasion, milestone, or victory with festive activities and communal joy.
Etymology
From Latin celebratus, past participle of celebrare, "to gather in great numbers, to honour with a gathering, to make widely known", from celeber, "much frequented, crowded, famous". The verb entered English in the 15th century, at first for the solemn performance of a religious rite, as in to celebrate Mass. The sense of marking a happy occasion with festivities grew out of that one.
Usage note
Besides festive use, the verb keeps its formal sense of performing a rite: a priest celebrates Mass, and a celebrant leads a ceremony.
Synonyms
- commemorate
- honor
- observe
- mark
- rejoice
- fete
Often confused with
- commemorate
- To commemorate is to honour the memory of a person or event, often a solemn one; Portuguese comemorar is the everyday word for festive celebration.
Word family
- celebration
- celebrity
- celebrant
- celebratory
- celebrated
Usage examples
Around here, we celebrate small and big achievements, and today we are celebrating the milestone of 1,000 followers on our Instagram Threads profile!
Concept
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
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