celebrate

/ˈsɛl.ɪ.bɹeɪt/

celebrate means to extol or honour in a solemn manner.

celebrate is pronounced /ˈsɛl.ɪ.bɹeɪt/.

Etymology

From Middle English celebraten, from celebrat(e) (“celebrated”, also used as the past participle of celebraten) + -en, borrowed from Latin celebrātus, perfect passive participle of celebrō (“frequent, go to in great numbers, celebrate, honor, praise”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from celeber (“frequented, populous”). Displaced native Old English fæġnian.

verb

To extol or honour in a solemn manner.e.g.“to celebrate the name of the Most High”
To honour by rites, by ceremonies of joy and respect, or by refraining from ordinary business; to observe duly.e.g.“to celebrate a birthday”
To engage in joyful activity in appreciation of an event.e.g.“I was promoted today at work—let’s celebrate!”
To perform or participate in, as a sacrament or solemn rite; to perform with appropriate rites.e.g.“to celebrate a marriage”

Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Words closest in meaning

By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.

jubilize 71% match — To celebrate. vs celebrate →
celebratorily 69% match — In a celebratory manner; in celebration. vs celebrate →
celebrator 68% match — A person who celebrates or praises. vs celebrate →
laud 67% match — Glorification or praise. vs celebrate →
celebrative 66% match — Involving celebration; having the nature of a celebration. vs celebrate →
jubilate 66% match — To show elation or triumph; to rejoice. vs celebrate →
celebratory 66% match — Having the manner of, or forming part of, a celebration. vs celebrate →
herry 66% match — To honour, praise or celebrate. vs celebrate →