celebrate
SEL-uh-breyt
/ˈsɛlɪbreɪt/
To acknowledge a significant or happy day or event with a social gathering or enjoyable activity.
A broad term that can range from a quiet toast to a massive public party.
The story behind the word. Originally, 'celebrate' meant to go to a place in great numbers. Over time, the idea of a crowd gathering to honor someone evolved into the modern meaning of having a party or marking an event.
Word relationships
- rejoice: Rejoice is more about the internal feeling of joy, while celebrate is the outward action.
- mourn: Mourn is the act of expressing deep sorrow, the opposite of celebration.
Commonly confused with
- commemorate: Celebrate is for joy; commemorate is for respectful memory (often somber).
Word family
- celebration (noun): the action of celebrating
- celebrity (noun): a famous person (originally someone who is 'celebrated')
Collocations
- celebrate a birthday
- celebrate a victory
- celebrate in style
Idioms & expressions
- celebrate too soon
Example sentences
- "I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume." Poetry
Memory hook
Think of a 'celebrity' at a party; everyone is there to 'celebrate' them. Crowds gather to honor.
When not to use
Avoid using it for somber occasions; you 'commemorate' a tragedy, you don't 'celebrate' it.
Fun facts
- The word 'celebrity' used to mean the state of being celebrated before it referred to a person.
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.