celebrer

Célébrer is a French verb meaning to celebrate, to observe with ceremonies or festivity, and to honor or commemorate. It is used for holidays, events, achievements, or the memory of people. The act can be communal or personal and may involve religious rites, secular ceremonies, or public acknowledgments.

Etymology and related forms: Célébrer derives from Latin celebrare, through Old French. It is related to the noun célébration (a ceremony or act of celebration) and to the adjective célèbre (famous). Although they share the same root, the verb’s meaning is distinct from the adjective’s sense of being well known.

Usage: The verb is commonly used with holidays and events, such as célébrer Noël, célébrer un anniversaire, célébrer la mémoire de quelqu’un, or célébrer une victoire. It can also apply to commemorating life, achievements, or values, e.g., célébrer une vie, célébrer la diversité. In religious contexts, it may refer to performing or presiding over a ceremony.

Conjugation: In the present indicative, the forms are je célèbre, tu célèbres, il célèbre, nous célébrons, vous célébrez, ils célèbrent. The past participle is célébré. Other common forms include j’ai célébré (passé composé), je célébrais (imparfait), je célèbrerai (futur), je célébrerais (conditionnel), que je célèbre (subjonctif). The imperative is célèbre, célébrons, célébrez. The present participle is célébrant.

See also: célébration, célébré, célèbre. Note that the adjective célèbre (famous) is distinct from the verb célerbrer; accents are essential for correct spelling and meaning.