Definition

1. Verb (Transitive):

   • To observe or commemorate (a significant event, anniversary, or occasion) with a social gathering or special activity.
   • To honor or praise (a person, achievement, or quality) publicly.

2. Verb (Intransitive):

   • To engage in festivities or joyful activities to mark a happy event.

Examples

• Verb (Transitive):

  • We will celebrate our wedding anniversary with a small party.
  • The city celebrated the team's championship victory with a parade.
  • The poet is celebrated for her powerful use of language.

• Verb (Intransitive):

  • When they heard the good news, they went out to celebrate.
  • After the final exam, the students celebrated all night.

Advanced Usage

• "to celebrate a mass": In a religious context, to perform a solemn rite, especially the Eucharist.

  • The priest celebrated mass for the community.

• "to be celebrated for something": To be widely known and praised for a particular quality or achievement.

  • The artist is celebrated for her innovative techniques.

Variants and Related Words

• Celebration (n): The action of celebrating; a social gathering for a celebration.

  • The birthday celebration was a great success.

• Celebrant (n): A person who performs a rite, especially a priest, or a person who is celebrating.

  • The celebrant led the ceremony.

• Celebrated (adj): Greatly admired; renowned.

  • He is a celebrated author.

• Celebratory (adj): Relating to or used for a celebration.

  • The mood was celebratory.

Synonyms

• Commemorate: To recall and show respect for (someone or something).
• Observe: To fulfill or adhere to (a custom, rite, or holiday).
• Honor: To regard with great respect.
• Revel: To enjoy oneself in a lively and noisy way.

Phrasal Verbs / Common Collocations

• Celebrate with: To mark an occasion by doing something specific with others.

  • They celebrated with a bottle of champagne.

• Celebrate by: To mark an occasion through a particular action.

  • She celebrated her promotion by taking a trip.

Related Idioms

• "Celebrate in style": To celebrate in a lavish or impressive manner.

  • For their 50th anniversary, they celebrated in style with a grand party.

• "Have something to celebrate": To have a good reason for a celebration.

  • Now that you've graduated, you really have something to celebrate!

Verb

1. assign great social importance to
   • The film director was celebrated all over Hollywood
   • The tenor was lionized in Vienna
2. have a celebration
   • They were feting the patriarch of the family
   • After the exam, the students were celebrating
3. behave as expected during of holidays or rites
   • Keep the commandments
   • celebrate Christmas
   • Observe Yom Kippur