congratulates

Congratulates is the third-person singular present tense of the verb congratulate. To congratulate someone is to express praise and good wishes to them for an achievement, milestone, or fortunate event.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin congratulārī, formed with con- "together" and grat- "pleasing" (from gratus). It entered English via Old French, giving rise to the noun congratulations and the adjective congratulatory.

Usage: As a transitive verb, it takes a direct object: "She congratulates her teammate on the win." Common constructions include "congratulate someone on (a) something" and "to congratulate someone for (an achievement)." The simple past is congratulated, and the present participle is congratulating.

In culture: Offering congratulations is a standard social courtesy across many societies, expressed in person, by card, or online. The tone ranges from warm and informal to formal, depending on relationship and context.

See also: felicitate; congratulate (the base form); congratulation (noun); congratulatory (adjective); congratulations (plural noun).