— celebrative , adj. — celebrator, celebrater , n. — celebratory /sel"euh breuh tawr'ee, -tohr'ee, seuh leb"reuh-/ , adj.
/sel"euh brayt'/ , v. , celebrated, celebrating .
v.t.
1. to observe (a day) or commemorate (an event) with ceremonies or festivities: to celebrate Christmas; to celebrate the success of a new play.
2. to make known publicly; proclaim: The newspaper celebrated the end of the war in red headlines.
3. to praise widely or to present to widespread and favorable public notice, as through newspapers or novels: a novel celebrating the joys of marriage; the countryside celebrated in the novels of Hardy.
4. to perform with appropriate rites and ceremonies; solemnize: to celebrate a marriage.
v.i.
5. to observe a day or commemorate an event with ceremonies or festivities.
6. to perform a religious ceremony, esp. Mass or the Lord's Supper.
7. to have or participate in a party, drinking spree, or uninhibited good time: You look like you were up celebrating all night.
[ 1425-75; late ME celebratus ptp. of celebrare to solemnize, celebrate, honor, equiv. to celebr- (s. of celeber ) often repeated, famous + -atus -ATE 1 ]
Syn. 1. honor, solemnize. 3. laud, glorify, honor, applaud, commend.