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Synonyms

gratification

American  
[grat-uh-fi-key-shuhn] / ˌgræt ə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. the state of being gratified; great satisfaction.

    Synonyms:
    comfort, enjoyment, delight, relish, pleasure
  2. something that gratifies; source of pleasure or satisfaction.

  3. the act of gratifying.

  4. Archaic. a reward, recompense, or gratuity.


gratification British  
/ ˌɡrætɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

  1. the act of gratifying or the state of being gratified

  2. something that gratifies

  3. an obsolete word for gratuity

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of gratification

First recorded in 1590–1600, gratification is from the Latin word grātificātiōn- (stem of grātificātiō ). See gratify, -ation

Explanation

Pleasure is gratification, whether it’s given or received. Everyone has desires, and when those desires get fulfilled, that’s gratification. You’re reading this sentence to understand the word gratification, and soon you’ll know it back and forth, which will give you a feeling of gratification. The word comes from the Latin gratificari, meaning “give or do as a favor,” and a deeper root is gratus, which means “pleasing, thankful.” Doing a favor for someone is a surefire ways to create a sense of gratification, both for them and for yourself, being such a kind, giving person.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing gratification

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.

Yesterday, I prayed to the flowers and trees Gratification to the powers that be Synchronization with my energy chakras, the ghost of Dr. Sebi Paid it forward, cleaned out my toxins, bacteria heavy.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2022

Perhaps a more practical approach is Immediate Gratification Meditation.

From Washington Times • Dec. 23, 2019

The tech news site Re/Code has called it the Instant Gratification Economy, and it will transform us.

From Washington Post • Sep. 23, 2015

For Bike Advocates, Delayed Gratification IT was supposed to be the summer of bike share.

From New York Times • Aug. 11, 2012

Gratification showed itself in little lines that coursed about her mouth, and her eyes illumined as when a light shines through a window.

From The Red Acorn by McElroy, John