What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
celebrate
Example
We will celebrate our anniversary with a romantic dinner. [celebrate: verb]
Example
The whole town came together to celebrate the victory of their local sports team. [celebrate: verb]
commemorate
Example
Every year, we commemorate the soldiers who fought in the war with a memorial service. [commemorate: verb]
Example
The museum was built to commemorate the life and works of the famous artist. [commemorate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Celebrate is more commonly used than commemorate in everyday language. Celebrate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while commemorate is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations related to historical events or tributes.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between celebrate and commemorate?
While celebrate can be used in both formal and informal contexts, commemorate is generally associated with a more formal and serious tone, often used in official or ceremonial settings.