# celebrating

/ˈsɛɫəˌbɹeɪtɪŋ/ (US) · /sˈɛləbɹˌeɪtɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/celebrating
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. having a party or event

verb · CEFR A2

doing something fun to mark a special day or achievement.

For teachers: performing festivities or social activities to mark a specific occasion or milestone.

- We are celebrating my brother's graduation by going out for a nice dinner.
- The city is celebrating its founding anniversary with a series of concerts and a spectacular firework display over the harbour.

Usage: Often used with 'by' to describe the specific activity.

### 2. praising or honouring

verb · CEFR B2

showing that you admire or respect someone or something publicly.

For teachers: expressing public praise or admiration for a person, work of art, or idea.

- The new film is celebrating the life of a famous scientist.
- The exhibition succeeds in celebrating the artist's early career while acknowledging the controversial nature of his later political works.

### 3. the act of celebration

noun · CEFR B1

the activity of having a party or special event.

For teachers: the gerundial use of the word to describe the process or occasion of a celebration.

- The celebrating continued late into the night after the team won the trophy.
- Much of the celebrating took place in the town square, where residents gathered to share food and music.

## Examples

- We are celebrating my birthday tonight.
- The entire city is celebrating the team's victory with a parade through the main square this afternoon.
- While some cultures mark the new year with quiet reflection, others prefer celebrating with loud fireworks and large public gatherings to drive away the misfortunes of the previous twelve months.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.