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Felicitation: meaning, definitions and examples

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felicitation

 

[ˌfɛlɪsɪˈteɪʃən ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

formal event

An expression of good wishes; congratulations.

Synonyms

best wishes, compliments, congratulations.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
felicitation

Used in formal settings to express happiness and good wishes, often found in written communication.

  • The president sent a letter of felicitation to the award winners.
  • Please accept my heartiest felicitation on your promotion.
congratulations

Commonly used in both formal and informal settings to acknowledge someone's success or achievement.

  • Congratulations on your graduation!
  • He received numerous congratulations for his excellent performance.
compliments

Normally used to express praise or admiration, rather than congratulations. Can be used in a variety of contexts, both formal and informal.

  • She received many compliments on her beautiful dress.
  • Please convey my compliments to the chef for the delicious meal.
best wishes

Commonly used in both formal and informal settings to wish someone good luck or happiness, often used at the end of letters or messages.

  • I wish you all the best wishes for your future endeavors.
  • Best wishes for your birthday!

Examples of usage

  • The felicitations poured in after he won the award.
  • The ceremony ended with speeches and felicitations.
  • She received many felicitations on her promotion.
Context #2 | Noun

formal letter

A formal expression of praise or acknowledgment.

Synonyms

acknowledgment, commendation, praise.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
felicitation

Use for formal expressions of good wishes or congratulations, often in official or ceremonial situations.

  • The president offered his felicitation to the newly appointed prime minister
praise

Can be used in both casual and formal settings to show approval or admiration for someone’s actions or qualities.

  • The teacher gave high praise to the student for her excellent project
acknowledgment

Used when recognizing someone's effort, presence, or existence, usually in a formal or informal context.

  • She made a brief acknowledgment of the team's hard work during the meeting
commendation

Best suited for officially recognizing someone's achievement or praising someone formally, often in workplaces or academic settings.

  • The officer received a commendation for his bravery during the rescue mission

Examples of usage

  • He sent a letter of felicitation to the newlyweds.
  • The company issued a felicitation to the employee of the month.
  • The President's felicitation to the athletes was well-received.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from Latin 'felicitatio', which means 'to make happy'.
  • It has roots in the Latin 'felix', meaning 'happy' or 'fortunate'.
  • In the 16th century, it began to be used in English, especially in formal contexts.

Cultural Context

  • In many cultures, felicitation is expressed during ceremonies, such as graduations and weddings.
  • Certain phrases or gifts are traditionally given to convey felicitation, like cards or flowers.
  • The act of felicitating someone can strengthen social bonds in communities.

Literature

  • Writers often use scenes of felicitation to highlight character development or group dynamics in stories.
  • Felicitation ceremonies are commonly featured in novels as a plot device to bring characters together.
  • Poets may celebrate achievements through the lens of felicitation, emphasizing joy and communal praise.

Psychology

  • Receiving felicitations can boost self-esteem and encourage future successes.
  • Expressions of congratulations have a positive psychological impact, fostering happiness and motivation.
  • Social psychologists study how we respond to felicitation to understand interpersonal dynamics.

Pop Culture

  • Television shows often depict celebratory scenes where characters felicitate one another after major achievements.
  • Films might show celebration parties that culminate in heartfelt felicitations.
  • Social media has transformed how we send felicitations, allowing instant sharing of congratulatory messages.

Translations

Translations of the word "felicitation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 felicitação

🇮🇳 बधाई

🇩🇪 Glückwunsch

🇮🇩 selamat

🇺🇦 привітання

🇵🇱 gratulacje

🇯🇵 お祝い (おいわい)

🇫🇷 félicitations

🇪🇸 felicitación

🇹🇷 tebrik

🇰🇷 축하 (chukha)

🇸🇦 تهنئة (tahnia)

🇨🇿 gratuluji

🇸🇰 gratulácia

🇨🇳 祝贺 (zhùhè)

🇸🇮 čestitke

🇮🇸 til hamingju

🇰🇿 құттықтау

🇬🇪 მილოცვა (milotsva)

🇦🇿 təbrik

🇲🇽 felicitación

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,911, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.