gratification
Americannoun
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the act of gratifying or the state of being gratified
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something that gratifies
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an obsolete word for gratuity
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of gratification
First recorded in 1590–1600, gratification is from the Latin word grātificātiōn- (stem of grātificātiō ). See gratify, -ation
Explanation
Pleasure is gratification, whether it’s given or received. Everyone has desires, and when those desires get fulfilled, that’s gratification. You’re reading this sentence to understand the word gratification, and soon you’ll know it back and forth, which will give you a feeling of gratification. The word comes from the Latin gratificari, meaning “give or do as a favor,” and a deeper root is gratus, which means “pleasing, thankful.” Doing a favor for someone is a surefire ways to create a sense of gratification, both for them and for yourself, being such a kind, giving person.
Vocabulary lists containing gratification
Unit 3: Compelling Evidence
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Excerpt from "The Philosophy of Literary Form" by Kenneth Burke
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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.
See Examples For:
At Liverpool, the belief is they have been sensible and responsible with a view to deferred gratification in most cases, but the wage structure is currently under review.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
Instant gratification from short video clips makes it hard for people—particularly kids—to understand how the present affects the future, according to a study.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
In the meantime, it doesn’t hurt to mull over other ways to help foster an appreciation for delayed gratification — in ways you’d be able to see and appreciate while you’re alive.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
Most fans of baseball, delayed gratification and compounding interest know about Bobby Bonilla Day, an annual acknowledgment of the dawn of deferred contracts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
In the rearview mirror I noticed with gratification that he was remonstrating quietly but firmly with Luther—threatening, I very much hoped, to take away his communication device.
From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson
Such support can come with deprivations as well as gratifications.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 10, 2026
It is taking individual responsibility rather than indulging in the fleeting gratifications of individualism.
From Salon ● May 14, 2023
In addition, Afzal had allegedly given gratifications totalling about $165,000 to other individuals on multiple occasions as “inducements or rewards for them to place orders with KPI for the supply of bunker fuel.”
From Reuters ● Oct. 20, 2021
Ethics is about fundamental right and wrong, and moral responsibilities to others, not just religious belief, legal rights, financial obligations, or self gratifications.
From New York Times ● Aug. 2, 2017
How far it may serve him I do not know; but since I am thought useful, I shall yield to my zeal for the service of America, I readily give up personal gratifications.
From The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Volume X (of 12) by Various
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