Celebrate
/ˈsɛl.ə.breɪt/noun
To mark an occasion with public joy, ceremony, or special observance.
Did you know?Latin *celebrare* could mean not just “to honor” but also “to frequent” or “make crowded,” so celebration originally carried the energy of a public gathering charged with ritual force.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kʷel-
“to revolve, move around; to dwell, frequent”
Latin
Latin
celeber
“frequented, crowded, bustling; celebrated, renowned”
Latin
Latin
celebrare
“to frequent, honor, observe with ceremony; praise publicly”
Old French
Old French
celebrer
“to solemnize, praise, keep a feast”
Middle English
English
celebraten
“to perform a religious rite or solemn ceremony”
Modern English
English
celebrate
“to honor or observe an occasion with ceremony, festivity, or rejoicing”