jubilee

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "jubilee" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a special anniversary or celebration, often marking a significant milestone, such as a 25th or 50th anniversary. Example: "The town is planning a grand celebration for its centennial jubilee, inviting all residents to join in the festivities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"50 Golden Years," is the headline and certainly there are signs that some expatriate Britons in the United States at least are doing their best to celebrate the golden jubilee, however far from home they may be.

The Guardian

Deeply embarrassing #bbcjubilee – actor Stephen Fry on Twitter "Don't get me wrong peeps, I'm not saying this in relation to ER II's jubilee – just expected better of the Beeb.

The Guardian

– David Cameron, who had to move his jubilee party indoors as rain soaked Downing Street "It was thought I would not look elegant in the Lycra" – London mayor Boris Johnson explaining why he turned down the offer of an oar on Gloriana for a place on the Havengore, the launch which carried the coffin of Winston Churchill to his funeral.

The Guardian

The Scotland Yard spokesman said the group was detained to ensure public safety as the golden jubilee parade and other events had at the time not taken place.

The Guardian

She couldn't be bothered" – actor Julie Walters at a diamond jubilee party in Plaistow village, west Sussex I am so glad I am not doing the TV commentary on this river pageant.

The Guardian

There was a determination to ensure she did not cross a line, as some said she did when she spoke of the benefits of the UK in her silver jubilee address to a joint session of parliament in 1977.

The Guardian

We have been preparing for such moments for more than a century, since that July morning in 1897, at the height of Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee, when readers of the Times found on its leader page Rudyard Kipling's admonitory poem Recessional, which called for British humility and God's mercy in the light of the fact that no empire lasts for ever.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some campaigners for the union have pointed out that in 1977, the year of her silver jubilee, the Queen said in a speech in Westminster Hall: "I cannot forget that I was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland".

The Guardian

Mummy," he said, just as he had addressed her on her golden jubilee.

The Guardian - Music

One moment organisers will have been relieved not to relive was when, in 1977, the Queen stood torch in hand ready to light her silver jubilee beacon – and exclaimed: "Look, look.

The Guardian - Music

The director reckons a crucial factor was the diamond jubilee a month or two earlier, which she knew would cast her in an overwhelmingly formal role.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "jubilee" to denote a significant anniversary or period of celebration, especially one with historical or cultural importance.

Common error

Avoid using "jubilee" to describe general celebrations or events that are not specifically anniversaries or milestones. It should be reserved for events commemorating a specific number of years.

Linguistic Context

The word "jubilee" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a special anniversary or celebration. Ludwig provides examples where it describes royal anniversaries and other significant milestones.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "jubilee" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that commonly refers to a significant anniversary or celebration. As shown by Ludwig, it is typically employed in contexts such as news and media, as well as in formal business settings. While "jubilee" is most often associated with milestone anniversaries like the 25th, 50th, or 60th, it's important to reserve its use for actual anniversaries to prevent misuse. For more clarity when referring to a royal event, specify the kind of "jubilee", such as "diamond jubilee" or "golden jubilee".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fiftieth anniversary

Specifically refers to a 50th anniversary, a common type of jubilee.

diamond anniversary

Refers specifically to a 60th anniversary.

golden anniversary

Denotes a 50th anniversary, similar to a common usage of "jubilee".

silver anniversary

Designates a 25th anniversary, providing a more specific time frame.

anniversary celebration

Focuses on the celebratory aspect of an anniversary, similar to a jubilee.

significant milestone

Highlights the importance of the event being celebrated, akin to a jubilee marking a key achievement.

year of celebration

Emphasizes the extended period of festivities, a characteristic often associated with a jubilee.

commemorative event

Highlights the memorial aspect of a jubilee.

festive occasion

Emphasizes the joyful nature of a celebration, which is central to the idea of a jubilee.

centennial celebration

Highlights a 100th-year celebration, extending the timeline in comparison to the common jubilee.

FAQs

How is "jubilee" typically used in a sentence?

The word "jubilee" is usually used to describe a special anniversary, often a 25th, 50th, 60th, or 70th celebration. For example: "The city is preparing for its sesquicentennial jubilee."

What phrases can I use instead of "jubilee"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "anniversary celebration", "commemoration", or "milestone event".

What is the difference between an anniversary and a "jubilee"?

While both terms refer to the recurrence of a date, "jubilee" typically implies a more significant or grand celebration, often reserved for milestone anniversaries like 25, 50, or 60 years. An anniversary can be any yearly recurrence.

Is it correct to use "jubilee" for events other than anniversaries?

While traditionally "jubilee" refers to anniversaries, particularly significant ones, it can sometimes be used more broadly to describe a period or event of general rejoicing or celebration, though this usage is less common.