dignify

[ dig-nuh-fahy ]

/ ˈdɪg nəˌfaɪ /

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See synonyms for: dignify / dignified on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), dig·ni·fied, dig·ni·fy·ing.

to confer honor or dignity upon; honor; ennoble.

to give a high-sounding title or name to; confer unmerited distinction upon: to dignify pedantry by calling it scholarship.

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of dignify

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

OTHER WORDS FROM dignify

o·ver·dig·ni·fy, verb (used with object), o·ver·dig·ni·fied, o·ver·dig·ni·fy·ing.qua·si-dig·ni·fy·ing, adjective

Words nearby dignify

diglossia, diglot, diglyceride, diglycolic acid, dignified, dignify, dignitary, dignity, digonal, dig one's own grave, digoneutic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use dignify in a sentence

It began to feel imperative that I tell their stories as bluntly and factually as possible, as a way to honor their lives and dignify their deaths and disappearances.
In her novel ‘When the Stars Go Dark,’ Paula McLain draws on abuse cases, including her own|Maureen Corrigan|April 23, 2021|Washington Post
So, sure, you can wear the bracelet and mislead his family into spending their money on things you don’t want, or you can refuse to dignify pouting and return it.
Carolyn Hax: She’s not charmed by boyfriend’s unwanted gift|Carolyn Hax|April 1, 2021|Washington Post
On the other hand, many people believe it is important to dignify official government business with a prayer.
Supreme Court Prayer Decision in Greece v. Galloway Should Be Easy|Eric Segall|November 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The tactic—you can't dignify it by calling it strategy—may finally backfire.
The Obama Scandals Are Desperate Measures by the GOP|Robert Shrum|May 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST

It is thus that they dignify human nature and glorify human effort, and bring to those who struggle hope and trust.
Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 3 of 8|Various
She seemed to dignify with her presence whatever happened to be going on, and made it worth while.
Unveiling a Parallel|Alice Ilgenfritz Jones and Ella Marchant
Such a mode of proceeding costs us little, but tends much to dignify and exalt us.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. II|Francis Augustus Cox
Incidentally teachers themselves, by thinking more nobly of their tasks, can do much to dignify their calling.
Spirit and Music|H. Ernest Hunt
The bearing of the new Abbot served of itself to dignify a ceremonial which was deprived of all other attributes of grandeur.
The Abbot|Sir Walter Scott

British Dictionary definitions for dignify

dignify

/ (ˈdɪɡnɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr)

to invest with honour or dignity; ennoble

to add distinction tothe meeting was dignified by the minister

to add a semblance of dignity to, esp by the use of a pretentious name or titleshe dignifies every plant with its Latin name

Word Origin for dignify

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

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

dignify

Origin of dignify

OTHER WORDS FROM dignify

Words nearby dignify

Words related to dignify

How to use dignify in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dignify

Word Origin for dignify