dignify

American  

[dig-nuh-fahy] / ˈdɪg nəˌfaɪ /

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.

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dignify British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of dignify

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

Example Sentences

Bipartisan proposals, such as the Dream Act and Dignity Act, would promote border security and a dignified process for long-term immigrants and Dreamers to achieve legal status.

From The Wall Street Journal

State media said the new facilities showed the North Korean people were the "most dignified" and have "nothing to envy in the world".

From Barron's

I was soon finding reasons to hobble past a full-length mirror, noting with satisfaction the dignified figure I seemed to cut.

From The Wall Street Journal

For Hoy, the fight to raise money and raise awareness is his new Olympic-sized mission and his response therefore was dignified, yet resolutely determined.

From BBC

In a post on Instagram, Mr Rajput addressed the trolls: "Sorry to disappoint you. I'm not a government employee, but I work hard for my family and want to give them a good, dignified life."

From BBC

Related Words

• exalt
• magnify