Celebrate
Pronunciation
/ˈsɛlɪˌbreɪt/
Definitions
- To acknowledge a significant event, achievement, or occasion with festivities, joy, or other celebratory actions.
- To observe or commemorate an occasion or event in a respectful or formal manner.
- To engage in an activity or action as a way of honoring or marking something special.
Usage Examples
- "They celebrated their anniversary with a dinner party."
- "We celebrate Christmas every year with family gatherings."
- "The community celebrated the new year with fireworks and music."
Etymology
From Middle English *celebraten*, from Old French *celebrer*, from Latin *celebrare*, meaning "to frequent, honor, perform publicly."
Synonyms
- Commemorate
- Honor
- Rejoice
- Observe
- Mark
Antonyms
- Ignore
- Disregard
- Forget
- Neglect
Translations
| Language |
Translation |
Pronunciation |
| English | Celebrate | /ˈsɛlɪˌbreɪt/ |
| Spanish | Celebrar | /θe.leˈβɾar/ |
| French | Célébrer | /se.le.bʁe/ |
| German | Feiern | /ˈfaɪ̯ɐn/ |
| Italian | Celebrere | /tʃe.leˈbɾe.re/ |
| Portuguese | Celebrar | /se.leˈbɾaɾ/ |
| Russian | Отмечать | /ɐtˈmʲet͡ɕɪtʲ/ |
| Mandarin | 庆祝 | /qìngzhù/ |
| Japanese | 祝う | /iwau/ |
| Hindi | उत्सव मनाना | /utsav manāna/ |
| Bengali | উত্সব উদযাপন | /utṣab udyāpan/ |
| Marathi | सण साजरा करणे | /saṇ sājrā karaṇe/ |
| Punjabi | ਉਤਸਵ ਮਨਾਉਣਾ | /utsav manā'uṇā/ |
| Telugu | పండగ జరుపు | /paṇḍaga jarupu/ |
| Tamil | பண்டிகை கொண்டாடுதல் | /paṇṭikai koṇṭāṭudal/ |
| Gujarati | ઉત્સવ ઉજવવો | /utsav ujavo/ |
| Malayalam | ഉത്സവം ആഘോഷിക്കുക | /utṣavaṁ āghōṣikkuka/ |
| Kannada | ಹಬ್ಬ ಹಬ್ಬಿಸಲು | /habba habbisalu/ |
| Odia | ଉତ୍ସବ ପାଳନ କରିବା | /utsaba pāḷana karibā/ |
| Assamese | উৎসৱ উদযাপন | /utṣab udyāpan/ |
| Sanskrit | उत्सवित | /utsavit/ |
| Arabic | يحتفل | /yaḥtafil/ |
| Korean | 축하하다 | /chukhahada/ |
| Turkish | Kutlamak | /kutˈlɑmɑk/ |
| Swahili | Sherehekea | /ʃɛrɛhɛˈkea/ |
| Hebrew | לחגוג | /laḥɡoɡ/ |
| Greek | Γιορτάζω | /yortázo/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
Pronunciation may vary slightly based on regional accents. In some dialects of English, the stress may shift, or vowels may sound different, but the standard pronunciation remains consistent across most accents.
Historical Usage
The word "celebrate" has been in use since the 14th century, derived from Latin *celebrare*. It initially referred to the act of performing a public or ritualistic observance, especially related to religious events. Over time, it expanded to encompass a broader meaning, including secular celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries, and public holidays.
Cultural Nuances
The act of celebrating is highly culture-dependent, with various cultures having distinct customs for marking significant events. For example, in many Western countries, birthdays and holidays like Christmas and New Year are celebrated with parties, feasts, and gifts. In India, festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Eid are celebrated with family gatherings, rituals, and fireworks. In both cases, the common theme is marking an event with joy and togetherness.
More Information
Celebration is a universal human practice that transcends cultural, geographical, and historical boundaries. It allows individuals and communities to express joy, gratitude, and reverence. From small personal milestones to large public festivities, the act of celebrating strengthens social bonds and offers a collective experience of happiness. While the nature of the celebration may differ, the underlying motive remains the same—to honor something significant and bring people together in joy.