dignity
Americannoun
plural
dignities-
bearing, conduct, or speech indicative of self-respect or appreciation of the formality or gravity of an occasion or situation.
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nobility or elevation of character; worthiness.
dignity of sentiments.
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elevated rank, office, station, etc.
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relative standing; rank.
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a sign or token of respect.
an impertinent question unworthy of the dignity of an answer.
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Archaic.
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person of high rank or title.
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such persons collectively.
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noun
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a formal, stately, or grave bearing
he entered with dignity
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the state or quality of being worthy of honour
the dignity of manual labour
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relative importance; rank
he is next in dignity to the mayor
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sense of self-importance (often in the phrases stand (or be ) on one's dignity, beneath one's dignity )
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high rank, esp in government or the church
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a person of high rank or such persons collectively
Etymology
Origin of dignity
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English dignite, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin dignitās “worthiness,” from dign(us) “worthy” + -itās -ity
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.
The team helped victims' families "gain control, restore dignity and respect", he said.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
Beneath her veneer of regal dignity Ms. Faridany reveals the character’s icy heart.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
“The Government of Mexico will exhaust all legal and diplomatic avenues to raise awareness of the current problem and address this case, reiterating its commitment to ensuring the protection and dignity of Mexican citizens abroad.”
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026
"A medical board will examine you, and a district magistrate will decide who you are. It's invasive -- and strikes at dignity and autonomy."
From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026
Each student gains importance and dignity as he or she participates in teaching and learning to set goals, make plans, choose behaviors, evaluate results, and learn from each experience to do things better.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
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.
