Celebrate
/ˈsɛləbreɪt/
Definitions
To publicly acknowledge or show honor to something or someone, often with festivities.
/ˈsɛləbreɪt/
To mark (an event) with a social gathering or ceremony.
They celebrated their anniversary with a romantic dinner.
💡 Simply: Imagine a big party with cake and presents! That's celebrating – making a special occasion fun and memorable. Like celebrating a birthday or a holiday.
👶 For kids: To have a party because something good happened!
More Examples
The team celebrated their victory with champagne.
How It's Used
"We celebrated her birthday with a party."
"The community celebrated the harvest festival."
Idioms & expressions
Celebrate a victory
To joyfully acknowledge a win or achievement.
"The athletes celebrated their victory with a parade."
From Latin *celebrare, meaning "to perform solemnly," "to make famous." It evolved through Old French célébrer.
Historically, 'celebrate' had a stronger connotation of performing a religious ritual, but its use has broadened to encompass many joyous occasions.
Memory tip
Think 'celebrities' are celebrated – they get parties and attention.
Word Origin
"to perform solemnly, to make famous"