sanctified

American  

[sangk-tuh-fahyd] / ˈsæŋk təˌfaɪd /

adjective

1. made holy; consecrated.

   sanctified wine.

2. sanctimonious.

   a sickening, sanctified smile.

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sanctified British  

/ ˈsæŋktɪˌfaɪd /

adjective

1. consecrated or made holy

2. a less common word for sanctimonious

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Other Word Forms

• sanctifiedly
  adjective
• unsanctified
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of sanctified

First recorded in 1475–85; sanctify + -ed ²

Explanation

Something that's sanctified is blessed or holy. In many religions, buildings, objects, and people can be sanctified. A sanctified chalice of wine and sanctified wafers are used in many churches' Holy Communion (or Eucharist) rites. To believers, this means that these things have been blessed by God. Sometimes this adjective describes something that is merely acceptable or respectable, like your brother's sanctified behavior at the dinner table. The Latin root of sanctified is sanctus, "holy."

Example Sentences

Rice and His Sanctified Congregation, the amens and “Oh yeahs!” from the congregation are so boisterous they threaten to roll right over the preacher.

From Washington Times • Nov. 14, 2020

She was also deeply entwined with the hip-hop scene, recording vocals on Rick Ross and Kanye West's Sanctified, and appearing alongside Kendrick Lamar on DJ Khaled's Holy Key.

From BBC • May 11, 2020

Some Hasidim point out that within a few blocks along the avenue are a Catholic church, a mosque and a storefront church called the Sanctified Church of Jesus Christ.

From New York Times • Aug. 2, 2017

That show, "Sanctified Visions," paid tribute to writer Zora Neale Hurston and received positive critical notice.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2016

The car moved through the darkness at a rapid speed, turned left at the Sanctified Church of the Crucified Jesus, and took the Biddle Creek Road which followed the river toward the training depot.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy