celebrate
/ˈsɛlɪbreɪt
/verb [with object]
1Publicly acknowledge (a significant or happy day or event) with a social gathering or enjoyable activity: they were celebrating their wedding anniversary at a swanky restaurant [no object]: she celebrated with a glass of champagne wildlife campaigners celebrated after their victory...
- ‘The radio link will allow women on the outer islands to report on their activities to celebrate the day,’ says Teao.
- For their part, the Central Festival Center organized music shows, dance demonstrations and a whole day of fun activities to celebrate the historic event.
- Afterwards the wedding party celebrated the great day at the Seven Oaks, Carlow.
Synonyms
commemorate, observe, honour, mark, salute, recognize, acknowledge, remember, memorialize, keep, drink to, toast, drink a toast to
1.1Reach (a birthday or anniversary): the programme celebrates its 40th birthday this year...
- A Lisselton woman celebrates a birthday with a difference this Tuesday as she reaches the magical 100 mark.
- Orkney's oldest resident celebrated her birthday on Wednesday, reaching the grand old age of 103.
- Mr Clinton was delighted to hear that Orla will be celebrating her tenth birthday on the tenth anniversary of the first IRA ceasefire next week.
2Perform (a religious ceremony), in particular officiate at (the Eucharist): he celebrated holy communion...
- Travers celebrated the Requiem Mass and delivered a lovely ceremony celebrating the life of Dessie and referring to his special love for music and life.
- It was the first time the enrolment ceremony for these Sacraments was celebrated within the Mass.
- The Pope said Catholic priests were forbidden to celebrate Eucharistic liturgies with Protestant ministers.
Synonyms
perform, observe, officiate at, preside at, solemnize, ceremonialize
3Honour or praise publicly: a film celebrating the actor’s career...
- The media across the Islamic Arab world have endorsed that promise, praised the film, and celebrated its new life in the United States.
- Several universities, institutes and schools in the U.S., India and other countries have been honouring Chawla with awards celebrating her spirit.
- Those honoured include celebrated benefactor John Harrison, brewer Joshua Tetley and cricket legend Sir Leonard Hutton.
Synonyms
praise, laud, extol, glorify, eulogize, reverence, honour, pay tribute to, pay homage to, salute, hymn, sing
archaic emblazon
acclaimed, admired, highly rated, lionized, revered, honoured, esteemed, exalted, lauded, vaunted, much touted, well thought of, well received, acknowledged;
eminent, great, distinguished, prestigious, illustrious, pre-eminent, venerable, august, estimable, of note, noted, notable, of repute, of high standing, considerable;
famous, renowned, well known
Derivatives
celebrative
- Being a Silver Jubilee event, they took all necessary steps to attach the trappings of a celebrative ambience to the campus.
- With the weather turning out to be salubrious for the past few days, fitting well into the celebrative atmosphere, the students could not ask for more.
- None of us were in a celebrative mood.
celebrator
- He's a true Hollywood maverick (he also turned down a Rhodes Scholarship), who has attracted equal numbers of detractors and celebrators.
- Is she really a natural-born celebrator, joyous and outgoing at every turn?
- ‘We're not traditional Thanksgiving celebrators,’ he explained.
Origin
Late Middle English (in sense 2): from Latin celebrat- 'celebrated', from the verb celebrare, from celeber, celebr- 'frequented or honoured'.
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