Etymology Map
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Celebrate

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to mark an occasion with festivity

Where does the word "celebrate" come from? It comes from Latin celebrare, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
celebrare
Latin · ancient
"to frequent, honour"
from 'celeber', frequented, famous
2
Stage 2 of 3
celebrer
Old French · medieval
"to celebrate"
used for the Mass
3
Stage 3 of 3
celebrate
English · 1400s
"to perform a rite"
'celebrity' shares the root
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Read the full story

Celebrate’s story begins in Latin: celebrare meant “to frequent, honour.” From 'celeber', frequented, famous. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as celebrer. Used for the Mass. It reached English by 1400s as celebrate. 'celebrity' shares the root. Today, celebrate means to mark an occasion with festivity.