gratify
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
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to satisfy or please
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to yield to or indulge (a desire, whim, etc)
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obsolete to reward
Synonym Usage
See humor.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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gratifiernoun
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gratifiableadjective
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ungratifiableadjective
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ungratifiedadjective
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well-gratifiedadjective
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gratifiedlyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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gratifysimple
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gratifiessimple
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have gratifiedperfect
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has gratifiedperfect
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am gratifyingprogressive
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are gratifyingprogressive
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is gratifyingprogressive
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have been gratifyingperfect progressive
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has been gratifyingperfect progressive
Past
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gratifiedsimple
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had gratifiedperfect
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was gratifyingprogressive
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were gratifyingprogressive
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had been gratifyingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of gratify
1350–1400; Middle English gratifien < Latin grātificāre, equivalent to grāt ( us ) pleasing + -i- -i- + -ficāre -fy
Explanation
To gratify is to satisfy. Bringing home an A in math would gratify your math tutor. Gratify can also mean to give in. You probably shouldn't gratify your urge to scream in class. Gratify comes from the Latin gratificari, "oblige," and gratus, "pleasing." The word still carries those meanings. Gratify always takes an object, so you have to gratify something or someone. Gratifying praise will make you feel good about all the work you put in on your science project. Gratify your thirst for vocabulary by using this word correctly!
Vocabulary lists containing gratify
100 SAT Words Beginning with "G"
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Nothing But the Truth
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50 Words from Jane Austen's "Pride & Prejudice"
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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.
Gratify that desire when you will, and you will find your Gabrielle just the same—longing ever to see you, living with only the memories of your dear face.
From The House of Whispers by Le Queux, William
Gratify it, and it creates a disturbance; disappoint it, and it grows furious; attempt to appease it, and it becomes outrageous; meet it boldly, and it turns away.
From Lands of the Slave and the Free Cuba, the United States, and Canada by Murray, Henry A.
Gratify me, and so shall your rash footing here to-day stand redeemed.'
From The Unknown Sea by Housman, Clemence
Gratify your love or your pride, as you see fit, and cheerfully pay down the price!
From Ishmael Or, In the Depths by Southworth, Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte
"Gratify the count, my good Dupont," said she, kindly.
From Joseph II. and His Court by Mühlbach, L. (Luise)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
