sanctify
Americanverb (used with object)
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to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate.
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to purify or free from sin.
Sanctify your hearts.
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to impart religious sanction to; render legitimate or binding.
to sanctify a vow.
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to entitle to reverence or respect.
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to make productive of or conducive to spiritual blessing.
verb
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to make holy
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to free from sin; purify
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to sanction (an action or practice) as religiously binding
to sanctify a marriage
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to declare or render (something) productive of or conductive to holiness, blessing, or grace
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obsolete to authorize to be revered
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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nonsanctificationnoun
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sanctificationnoun
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presanctifyverb (used with object)
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sanctifiablyadverb
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unsanctifyingadjective
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sanctifiernoun
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sanctifyinglyadverb
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self-sanctificationnoun
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sanctifiablenessnoun
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sanctifiableadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has sanctifiedperfect 3rd person singular
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have sanctifiedperfect
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sanctifyingparticiple
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has been sanctifyingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am sanctifyingprogressive 1st person singular
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have been sanctifyingperfect progressive
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is sanctifyingprogressive 3rd person singular
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sanctifiessingular 3rd person
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are sanctifyingprogressive
Past
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had sanctifiedperfect
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were sanctifyingprogressive plural
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was sanctifyingprogressive singular
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sanctifiedsimple
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had been sanctifyingperfect progressive
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sanctifiedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of sanctify
1350–1400; < Late Latin sānctificāre ( see Sanctus, -ify); replacing Middle English seintefien < Old French saintifier < Latin, as above
Explanation
To sanctify something is to make it pure or holy. You might see a priest sanctify a church in your neighborhood — that means it’s holy. Sanctify often has a religious connotation. If you get married, you might have a religious ceremony to sanctify your union. That means the marriage is viewed as legitimate according to your religion. Sanctify can also mean that something is made free from sin, like when the Pope sanctifies a person. Or you can use it for anything that’s made right or acceptable. Your mom’s support may sanctify the odd outfit you wore to the family reunion. Thanks, Mom!
Vocabulary lists containing sanctify
Power Suffix: -fy
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"Common Sense," Vocabulary from the pamphlet
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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It is that the law will sanctify it.
From Slate • Jul. 3, 2025
These shrines laden with incense, flowers and other offerings sanctify its gardens, waters and the surrounding landscape, and they highlight the psychic malaise dominating most of its visitors.
From Salon • Feb. 16, 2025
Accentuating the glass wrinkles with gilding serves to sanctify the century-old depot structure.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2024
Also taken from the home that day was a 19th-century kiddush cup typically used to sanctify the Sabbath and Jewish holidays.
From New York Times • Apr. 10, 2023
“I sanctify this pyre,” he proclaimed, darting grumpy looks at the giantess Hyrrokkin, who still did not, Thor felt, appear to be properly respectful.
From "Norse Mythology" by Neil Gaiman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
