self-congratulation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Critical
Quick answer
What does “self-congratulation” mean?
The act of praising oneself for one's own achievements or qualities.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of praising oneself for one's own achievements or qualities.
A state or attitude of self-satisfaction, often perceived as smug, complacent, or lacking in humility; can refer to a cultural or social atmosphere where collective praise is directed inward.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. Both varieties use the term identically.
Connotations
Identically negative in both dialects, implying vanity or lack of self-awareness.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British critical and journalistic writing, but common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “self-congratulation” in a Sentence
[verb] + self-congratulation (e.g., indulge in, lapse into)[adjective] + self-congratulation (e.g., smug, empty)self-congratulation + [preposition] + [noun] (e.g., on their success)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “self-congratulation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The verb form is 'congratulate oneself'. He congratulated himself on securing the deal.
- They spent the evening congratulating themselves on a job well done.
American English
- The verb form is 'congratulate oneself'. She congratulated herself for finishing the marathon.
- The team stopped to congratulate themselves on the quick win.
adverb
British English
- The adverb is 'self-congratulatorily'. He smiled self-congratulatorily after his comment.
- She spoke self-congratulatorily about her charity work.
American English
- The adverb is 'self-congratulatorily'. He nodded self-congratulatorily after solving the puzzle.
- The CEO announced the profits self-congratulatorily.
adjective
British English
- The adjective is 'self-congratulatory'. The article was a self-congratulatory piece from the ruling party.
- He gave a self-congratulatory speech that bored everyone.
American English
- The adjective is 'self-congratulatory'. The company's self-congratulatory ad campaign backfired.
- We're tired of his self-congratulatory tone.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Criticising a company's annual report for focusing more on past successes than future challenges.
Academic
Analysing a historical text for its narrative of national exceptionalism.
Everyday
Describing a friend who constantly talks about their own minor accomplishments.
Technical
Rare in technical contexts; used in sociology or media criticism to describe group narcissism.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “self-congratulation”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “self-congratulation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “self-congratulation”
- Misspelling as 'self-congradulation'.
- Using it as a verb (incorrect: 'He self-congratulated').
- Using it in a positive context (e.g., 'Her well-deserved self-congratulation' sounds odd).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in standard usage it carries a negative connotation of excessive or unwarranted pride. A neutral phrase would be 'taking pride in one's work'.
'Self-congratulatory' is the standard adjective (e.g., a self-congratulatory smile).
No. The correct verbal phrase is 'to congratulate oneself' (e.g., He congratulated himself on his promotion).
Not directly. Positive concepts include 'self-satisfaction' (can be neutral), 'pride' (context-dependent), or 'taking credit'.
The act of praising oneself for one's own achievements or qualities.
Self-congratulation is usually formal, critical in register.
Self-congratulation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌself kənˌɡrætʃ.əˈleɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌself kənˌɡrætʃ.əˈleɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pat oneself on the back”
- “rest on one's laurels”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a person giving themselves a trophy (CONGRATULATIONS) in the mirror (SELF).
Conceptual Metaphor
SELF IS A CELEBRANT (of itself); PRAISE IS A COMMODITY (that one gives to oneself).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'self-congratulation' MOST appropriately?