dignify

[dig-nuh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

dignified, dignifying 

1. to confer honor or dignity upon; honor; ennoble.

2. to give a high-sounding title or name to; confer unmerited distinction upon.

   to dignify pedantry by calling it scholarship.

dignify

/ ˈdɪɡnɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to invest with honour or dignity; ennoble

2. to add distinction to

   the meeting was dignified by the minister

3. to add a semblance of dignity to, esp by the use of a pretentious name or title

   she dignifies every plant with its Latin name

Other Word Forms

• overdignify verb (used with object)
• quasi-dignifying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dignify¹

1375–1425; late Middle English dignifien < Old French dignefier < Medieval Latin dignificāre, equivalent to Latin dign ( us ) worthy + -ificāre -ify

Word History and Origins

Origin of dignify¹

C15: from Old French dignifier, from Late Latin dignificāre, from Latin dignus worthy + facere to make

Example Sentences

Given the number of targets available, Colette deserves more dignified treatment than she gets.

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Equally, they are tools for establishing superstitions, glorifying despots and dignifying atrocity.

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“Things are very bad, I can’t make enough money for a dignified life,” he said.

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He said "everyone was calm and dignified" and people "used an element of humour" to keep going.

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A spokesperson for Khan told the BBC: "We are not going to dignify his appalling and bigoted comments with a response."

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Related Words

• exalt 
• magnify