definitions

gratify

[ grat-uh-fahy ]
/ ˈgræt əˌfaɪ /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gratify ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), grat·i·fied, grat·i·fy·ing.

to give pleasure to (a person or persons) by satisfying desires or humoring inclinations or feelings: Her praise will gratify all who worked so hard to earn it.
to satisfy; indulge; humor, as one's desires or appetites.
Obsolete. to reward; remunerate.

RELATED WORDS

delight, enchant, please, thrill, baby, humor, pamper, favor, oblige, appease, content, gladden, recompense, indulge, requite, fulfill, coddle, arride, delectate

Nearby words

grater, gratiae, gratian, graticule, gratification, gratify, gratifying, gratin, gratinate, gratinated, grating

Origin of gratify

1350–1400; Middle English gratifien < Latin grātificāre, equivalent to grāt(us) pleasing + -i- -i- + -ficāre -fy

Related forms

Can be confused

grateful gratified (see synonym study at grateful)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for gratify

British Dictionary definitions for gratify

gratify

/ (ˈɡrætɪˌfaɪ) /

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

to satisfy or please
to yield to or indulge (a desire, whim, etc)
obsolete to reward

Derived Forms

gratifier, noun

Word Origin for gratify

C16: from Latin grātificārī to do a favour to, from grātus grateful + 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