gratification

[grat-uh-fi-key-shuhn]

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. gratifying.

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

Other Word Forms

• nongratification noun
• overgratification noun
• pregratification noun
• supergratification noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gratification¹

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

Example Sentences

My generation has been plagued by a culture of immediate gratification.

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While the instant gratification they offer can become addictive, when enjoyed responsibly, they foster creativity, connection and fun that add to our lives.

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The search for excitement, competition, and instant gratification has always been part of human nature, but technology has made those impulses faster, louder, and easier to act on.

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Something you could look for, instead, is people with hobbies that have delayed gratification, Lee suggested.

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"An adrenaline rush, an ego boost, a full sense of worth, a selfish gratification with no rewards, at cost to others. What I lost, what we have lost, cannot be found nor replaced."

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Related Words

• enjoyment 
• fulfillment 
• joy 
• luxury 
• pleasure