felicitations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "felicitations" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express congratulations or good wishes, often in formal contexts. Example: "On the occasion of your promotion, I extend my heartfelt felicitations to you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

His insistence on finishing the race, against the wishes of a Mercedes team that wanted to retire him, and the genuine felicitations offered to Hamilton, first over the radio and then in person, were the hallmarks of a class act.

Independent

The conversation is a mixture of felicitations, shoptalk and small talk.

The New York Times

Mr. Jon offers his "heartiest felicitations" on the success of that test, which led to American sanctions against both countries.

The New York Times

"Felicitations for the happy idea of coming to see our great nation and above all the City of God.

The Guardian

An uneasy family drama ensued in India, with scorn being poured on one Indian, Aravind Adiga, and felicitations being made prematurely to the other, Amitav Ghosh.

The Guardian - Books

Petula Clark Singer: "Felicitations.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Brought up in a family that presents its kings as incarnations of a Hindu deity, surrounded by toadies and addicted to being fawned on at "felicitation" ceremonies, he seems unaware of how lukewarm royalist sentiment has become.

The Economist

We've been getting and sending a lot of holiday greetings, but one we have yet to hear is: "Have a Very New Year!" Perhaps it sounds too ambiguous for a real felicitation; safer to wish upon each other happiness rather than newness.

The New York Times

Mr Tendulkar said Tuesday, in a felicitation program in Pune, "I would like to clear one thing that I am not a politician but I am a cricketer.

The New York Times

In a letter dated March 11 , 1997 Kim Hyong U, North Korea's Permanent Representative and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, offered to Egan his "deep gratitude... for your felicitation to our great leader comrade Kim Jong Il on the occasion of his fifty-fifth birth anniversary".

The New Yorker

And Michael Pernsley, a regular at Atlantic City, said people here seemed more pleasant than usual, though he had yet to hear a felicitation on the gaming floors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "felicitations" with a specific reason for congratulations to make your message more personalized and sincere. For example, "Felicitations on your successful product launch!"

Common error

Avoid using "felicitations" in casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or even sarcastic if used inappropriately. Opt for more common phrases like "congrats" or "good job" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "felicitations" is as an interjection or a noun. As an interjection, it expresses congratulations directly. As a noun, it refers to expressions of congratulations, as shown in the examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Felicitations" is a grammatically correct phrase primarily used as an interjection or noun to express congratulations or good wishes, especially in formal contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage leans towards formal and professional settings, making it suitable for written correspondence, speeches, or official ceremonies. While alternatives like "congratulations" and "best wishes" are more versatile and commonly used, "felicitations" adds a touch of tradition and respect to your message. Remember to use it judiciously in casual conversations to avoid sounding overly formal or sarcastic. The phrase's prevalence in news and media sources further underscores its appropriateness in formal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

congratulations

More common and versatile expression of good wishes.

best wishes

A general expression of goodwill, less formal than "felicitations".

warmest regards

Conveys a sense of sincere and friendly good wishes.

good job

An informal expression of praise for a job well done.

well done

A direct and simple way to commend someone's accomplishment.

kudos

An expression of praise or admiration, often for an achievement.

hats off

An idiomatic expression of respect or admiration.

my compliments

A formal expression of admiration or respect.

good going

Informal expression of encouragement and acknowledgment of success.

cheers

Expresses approval, encouragement, or congratulations.

FAQs

How to use "felicitations" in a sentence?

"Felicitations" is often used to express congratulations or good wishes, typically in formal contexts. Example: "I extend my heartfelt "felicitations" on your achievement."

What can I say instead of "felicitations"?

You can use alternatives like "congratulations", "best wishes", or "warmest regards" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "felicitations" or "congratulations"?

Both "felicitations" and "congratulations" are correct, but "felicitations" is more formal and less commonly used than "congratulations".

What's the difference between "felicitations" and "compliments"?

"Felicitations" specifically conveys congratulations, while "compliments" express admiration or praise in a more general sense. For example, you offer "felicitations" for an achievement and "compliments" on someone's appearance.