The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word TRIUMPHAL
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
T
R
I
U
M
P
H
A
L
More clues leading to the result TRIUMPHAL
- Getting hump somehow in ordeal is characteristic of success
- Beat prince — one kept celebrating achievement
- . Loser, full of ego, short of 50%, used to celebrate victory
- Celebrating upper speed during test
- Jubilant pal? I’m hurt dreadfully!
- Victory’s strange ritual with speed being limited
- Victorious president holds one in thrall on a regular basis
- Ham it up and ‘Lear’ ends terribly exultant
- Victorious one's in last resort with Harold
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Celebrating" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case celebrating = triumphal.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does TRIUMPHAL mean?
TRIUMPHAL noun- A token of victory.
- Of, relating to, or being a triumph.
- That celebrates or commemorates a triumph or victory.