gratify

[ grat-uh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, grat·i·fied, grat·i·fy·ing.

1. to give pleasure to (a person or persons) by satisfying desires or humoring inclinations or feelings:

   Her praise will gratify all who worked so hard to earn it.

   Synonyms: gladden, delight, please

2. to satisfy; indulge; humor, as one's desires or appetites.
3. Obsolete. to reward; remunerate.

gratify

/ ˈɡrætɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to satisfy or please
2. to yield to or indulge (a desire, whim, etc)
3. obsolete.
   to reward

Derived Forms

• ˈgratiˌfier, noun

Other Words From

• grati·fia·ble adjective
• grat·i·fi·ed·ly [grat, -, uh, -fahy-id-lee, -fahyd-], adverb
• grati·fier noun
• over·grati·fy verb (used with object) overgratified overgratifying
• pre·grati·fy verb (used with object) pregratified pregratifying
• super·grati·fy verb (used with object) supergratified supergratifying
• un·grati·fia·ble adjective
• un·grati·fied adjective
• well-grati·fied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gratify¹

1350–1400; Middle English gratifien < Latin grātificāre, equivalent to grāt ( us ) pleasing + -i- -i- + -ficāre -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of gratify¹

C16: from Latin grātificārī to do a favour to, from grātus grateful + facere to make

Synonym Study

See humor.

Example Sentences

I’m gratified by this entire experience, including knowing that this donation will go directly to helping future lawyers gain valuable experience and to fight for justice for others.

From Washington Post

The moment was indeed worth an ovation, for the turn of events is gratifying and — should the productions gain further momentum and extend again — a remarkable change of fortune.

From Washington Post

Community organizers who have fought for a decade to end oil extraction in urban neighborhoods were gratified by the large penalty, and said they hope it will be collected.

From ProPublica

The women all provide similar accounts, alleging the star quarterback contacted them via Instagram over the past year to arrange massages in which he then attempted to get them to gratify him sexually.

From Washington Post

Yet, aside from the top-shelf quality of its sights, sounds and performances, what makes Aretha so gratifying to watch is how fully Parks delivers on the promise to illuminate Franklin’s genius.

From Time

Most of the meddlers in our lives do it to gratify their own egos or because they mistakenly believe they are helping.

From The Daily Beast

He carried tales, told lies, and tried to make trouble, for no reason but to gratify his inclinations.

From Project Gutenberg

In the autumn of this year I was able to gratify my taste for travel by a longer excursion than usual.

From Project Gutenberg

Of refined tastes, including a penchant for blue china, being a thriving bachelor, he was able to gratify them.

From Project Gutenberg

Norman's face was a sight, as he stood holding Aubrey in his arms, to gratify the child's impatience.

From Project Gutenberg

In short, he may gratify his every whim and fancy, without a pang of reposing conscience, or the least jostle of his self-respect.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• delight
• enchant
• please
• thrill