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

Not Section 60, where the atmosphere is sanctified but not somber—too many kids, Meredith recalled from her visits to her son’s burial site.

From Salon • Sep. 5, 2024

Yes, it’s time for this series to focus on John Coltrane — perhaps the most sanctified musician in the whole Black American tradition, who other artists sometimes refer to simply as “St. John.”

From New York Times • Feb. 7, 2024

“Here, communication between man and God takes place,” said Lyngdoh, a descendant of the priestly clan which sanctified the Mawphlang forest.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 17, 2024

What these children need isn’t the charity of some wealthy family or the stern wisdom of some sanctified coach.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 17, 2023

Thus live, dear Maggie, until God brings me back to you; and then … we will resign ourselves to a passion sanctified by love and marriage … Let us live for each other.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock