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 Words From

• nongrat·i·fi·cation noun
• over·grati·fi·cation noun
• pregrat·i·fi·cation noun
• super·grati·fi·cation 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

You are expecting instant gratification, and that is just not the case here.

From Washington Post

Immediate gratification is an important part of our culture.

From Washington Post

Now, as Election Day — one of the country’s grandest instant gratification traditions — stretches into a third day and a fourth day and who knows how many more, many people just want it to stop.

From Washington Post

A pocket photo printer lets you pick out those favorites from a camera roll or Instagram feed, while still granting the instant gratification and share-ability of a Polaroid camera.

From Popular-Science

Major media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Google and Pinterest are delivering near instant gratification for both planned and unplanned purchases using shoppable media.

From Digiday

But opting for immediate gratification and having the universe influence our agenda keep long-term goals outside our grasp.

From The Daily Beast

America is “gratification nation” and we like ours immediate or, at least, annually.

From The Daily Beast

Or, really, giving us the gratification of seeing him get caught?

From The Daily Beast

Perhaps part of that is gratification that the ridiculous concept itself is an atomic bust.

From The Daily Beast

As a society, we just want our football and all the instant gratification that comes with it.

From The Daily Beast

From childhood I had longed to see something of the world, and this excursion to Paris was the first gratification of that wish.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr Dean did not believe in sudden conversion, nevertheless he expressed gratification.

From Project Gutenberg

Among other extras, the little fellow's hair was treated to a liberal supply of eau de cologne, to his huge gratification.

From Project Gutenberg

He interpreted religion in a way that would give the greatest possible gratification to his senses.

From Project Gutenberg

The gratification of rummaging false Val's desk was an ample compensation; and the countess-dowager hugged herself with delight.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• enjoyment
• fulfillment
• joy
• luxury
• pleasure