dignity

American  

[dig-ni-tee] / ˈdɪg nɪ ti /

noun

plural

dignities

1. bearing, conduct, or speech indicative of self-respect or appreciation of the formality or gravity of an occasion or situation.

2. nobility or elevation of character; worthiness.

   dignity of sentiments.

3. elevated rank, office, station, etc.

4. relative standing; rank.

5. a sign or token of respect.

   an impertinent question unworthy of the dignity of an answer.

6. Archaic.

   1. person of high rank or title.

   2. such persons collectively.

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dignity British  

/ ˈdɪɡnɪtɪ /

noun

1. a formal, stately, or grave bearing

   he entered with dignity

2. the state or quality of being worthy of honour

   the dignity of manual labour

3. relative importance; rank

   he is next in dignity to the mayor

4. sense of self-importance (often in the phrases stand (or be ) on one's dignity, beneath one's dignity )

5. high rank, esp in government or the church

6. a person of high rank or such persons collectively

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Etymology

Origin of dignity

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English dignite, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin dignitās “worthiness,” from dign(us) “worthy” + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

“It’s very much a feeling of having a lot of your dignity taken away from you,” she says.

From The Wall Street Journal

“You are our ambassadors, and the Block family would like to exit with grace and dignity,” the official said.

From The Wall Street Journal

After an earlier court appearance, lawyer Alan Jackson told reporters the case needed to be treated with "restraint and with dignity."

From Barron's

His ultimate wish is the same thing the rioters in 1788 wanted: “We need, quite simply, to ensure dignity after death.”

From The Wall Street Journal

It's a legitimate question to ask - where's the dignity and the class?

From BBC

Related Words

• decency
• decorum
• grace
• grandeur
• greatness
• honor
• morality
• poise
• prestige
• quality
• respectability
• self-respect
• stature
• status
• virtue