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felicitation

felicitation

1 8.3
Words or actions showing congratulations to someone on a special occasion
  • noun
  • /fɛlɪsɪˈteɪʃən/
  • Formal
translation icon : felicitación
  • My felicitations, Thomas.

Examples

  • You may also add our felicitations upon her jubilee.

  • And I bring you the felicitations of my nation and my own personal congratulations on so glorious an event.

  • OK, well take a moment here because congratulations and the felicitations are in order.

  • Felicitations to your beautiful bride!

    Fiction book (1999)
  • My profound felicitations.

  • DEACON: In the name of every person in this county... ...in the name of the church and school board, the board of trustees... ...felicitations on your 65th birthday.

  • Her Britannic Majesty the Queen Empress... ...commands me to convey her felicitations upon your coronation.

  • Felicitations! Lessa called, having to shout above the applause that greeted the queen's impression.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Innumerable blessings, countless felicitations.

  • We celebrated their wedding with warm felicitations and best wishes for the future.

Synonyms

congratulation
vsfelicitation
904 1.3

Words said or written to show you are happy for someone's success

is mainly used for special occasions rather than any simple success
congratulations
vsfelicitation
1.1

Words you say to show you are happy about someone's good news

focuses on the whole act of offering good wishes often for special occasions

Antonyms

512 3.0

Disapproval that points out faults

56 5.5

A strong statement saying someone or something is wrong

How Formal

commendation
  • Formal
39 6.8
felicitation
  • Formal
1 8.3
congratulation
904 1.3
compliment
342 1.6

Surface Forms

felicitation singular
felicitations plural

Morphology

felicitation = felicitate (transparent) = felicit + ate + ion

The noun is formed regularly from the verb 'felicitate' by adding the noun-forming suffix '-ion', so the relationship is direct and predictable.

Etymology

The word felicitation comes from the Latin root felix, which means 'happy' or 'lucky' and is the same root behind the English word felicity. So, to send felicitations is to wish someone happiness and to congratulate them on a special event.