1. Celebrate (verb): To mark a special occasion or event with festivities or joyful activities.
2. Celebrate (verb): To honor or acknowledge an achievement, person, or historical event.
3. Celebrate (verb): To perform a religious or ceremonial observance.
4. Celebrate (verb): To praise or publicly recognize something or someone.
The word "celebrate" is widely used in various contexts, from joyous gatherings to formal recognitions and religious ceremonies. It expresses joy, appreciation, and acknowledgment. Below is a complete analysis of the term, including its meanings, pronunciation, examples, and more.
The word "celebrate" conveys joy, recognition, and commemoration. Below are its meanings and uses in different contexts.
To "celebrate" means to recognize a special day or event by holding activities, such as parties, feasts, or social gatherings. This includes birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.
"Celebrate" also refers to publicly recognizing or paying tribute to an achievement, a person’s contributions, or historical events. It is often seen in award ceremonies and memorials.
In religious contexts, "celebrate" means to conduct a formal observance or ritual, such as celebrating a mass in Christianity.
To "celebrate" can also mean to express admiration or highlight the significance of an idea, work, or action, often in literature, speeches, or media.
The word "celebrate" functions primarily as a verb, meaning to observe or honor with activities, as in "We celebrate birthdays with cake." It can be transitive, taking an object like "celebrate the victory," or intransitive, as in "Let's celebrate." Uncommonly, it appears in adjectival forms like "celebrated," meaning famous or renowned.
The word "celebrate" is pronounced as "SEL-uh-brayt," where "SEL" rhymes with "sell," "uh" is a quick schwa sound, and "brayt" like "brate" in "vibrate." The stress is on the first syllable, with a long "a" in the last part like "ate." To practice, say "cell" as in "cellular," add "uh," then "brate" smoothly like "great" but with "br."
Phonetic Pronunciation: /ˈsel.ə.breɪt/
Depending on its meaning, "celebrate" has many synonyms.
Opposite words for "celebrate" depend on whether the context is about ignoring, mourning, or criticizing.
Here are ten examples of "celebrate" used in different contexts.
The frequency of the word "celebrate" can vary depending on the context and the medium of communication. According to Google's Ngram Viewer, which tracks the frequency of words in books over time, the usage of "celebrate" has increased steadily since the 1800s, with notable rises in the 20th century amid cultural shifts.
"Celebrate" has several grammatical variations and related terms.
Several words and concepts are closely related to "celebrate."
The word "celebrate" comes from the Latin "celebrare," meaning to honor or frequent in crowds, first entering English in the 1400s for public observances. It derives from "celeber," meaning famous or thronged, used in Roman texts for festivals. By the 1500s, it referred to religious ceremonies in English literature, like in Shakespeare's plays. In the 1700s, it broadened to general festivities, reflecting social changes.
The word "celebrate" has various derivative forms and related expressions.
People often misspell "celebrate" in various ways. Here are some common mistakes:
Here are ten idioms that convey similar ideas to "celebrate":
The word "celebrate" is commonly used in discussions about events, recognition, and traditions. Below are ten frequently asked questions along with their answers.
1. What does it mean to "celebrate" something?
To "celebrate" means to mark a special occasion, achievement, or event with joy, festivity, or recognition.
2. Can "celebrate" be used in a religious context?
Yes, "celebrate" is often used in religious contexts, such as celebrating mass or other spiritual observances.
3. What is an example of "celebrate" in a sentence?
"We gathered to celebrate her graduation with a big party."
4. What is the noun form of "celebrate"?
The noun form of "celebrate" is "celebration," which refers to the act or event of celebrating.
5. How do people celebrate special occasions?
People celebrate special occasions with parties, feasts, gifts, ceremonies, or personal moments of joy.
6. What is the difference between "celebrate" and "commemorate"?
To "celebrate" means to enjoy and recognize an event, while "commemorate" focuses more on honoring and remembering, often with solemnity.
7. Can "celebrate" be used metaphorically?
Yes, "celebrate" can be used metaphorically, such as in literature or speeches, to highlight achievements or ideas.
8. What are some common celebrations around the world?
Common celebrations include birthdays, weddings, New Year’s, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and cultural festivals.
9. What does it mean to "celebrate diversity"?
"Celebrate diversity" means to recognize and appreciate different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives.
10. How can one celebrate without a party?
Celebrating without a party can involve personal reflection, giving thanks, small gestures of appreciation, or quiet moments of joy.
To "celebrate" means to acknowledge, honor, or enjoy an occasion, achievement, or idea through festivities or recognition. It is an important concept in personal, cultural, and religious traditions. Expanding your vocabulary with words like "celebrate" allows for a greater understanding of how people express joy and appreciation.
