gratify
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
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to satisfy or please
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to yield to or indulge (a desire, whim, etc)
-
obsolete to reward
Related Words
See humor.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of gratify
1350–1400; Middle English gratifien < Latin grātificāre, equivalent to grāt ( us ) pleasing + -i- -i- + -ficāre -fy
Explanation
To gratify is to satisfy. Bringing home an A in math would gratify your math tutor. Gratify can also mean to give in. You probably shouldn't gratify your urge to scream in class. Gratify comes from the Latin gratificari, "oblige," and gratus, "pleasing." The word still carries those meanings. Gratify always takes an object, so you have to gratify something or someone. Gratifying praise will make you feel good about all the work you put in on your science project. Gratify your thirst for vocabulary by using this word correctly!
Vocabulary lists containing gratify
100 SAT Words Beginning with "G"
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Nothing But the Truth
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50 Words from Jane Austen's "Pride & Prejudice"
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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.
Gratify us by residing here, and consider this forest thine own.'
From Hindu literature : Comprising The Book of good counsels, Nala and Damayanti, The Ramayana, and Sakoontala by Arnold, Edwin, Sir
Gratify me, and so shall your rash footing here to-day stand redeemed.'
From The Unknown Sea by Housman, Clemence
"Gratify the count, my good Dupont," said she, kindly.
From Joseph II. and His Court by Mühlbach, L. (Luise)
Gratify their wishes, and never, but in a case of the last necessity, when self-defence requires it, shed human blood.'
From A Complete Account of the Settlement at Port Jackson by Tench, Watkin
Gratify Indra with offerings of Soma and the friends and well-wishers with the objects of their wishes."'"
From The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 by Ganguli, Kisari Mohan
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.
