gratify

[ grat-uh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, grat·i·fied, grat·i·fy·ing.

1. 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.

   Synonyms: gladden, delight, please

2. to satisfy; indulge; humor, as one's desires or appetites.
3. Obsolete. to reward; remunerate.

gratify

/ ˈɡrætɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to satisfy or please
2. to yield to or indulge (a desire, whim, etc)
3. obsolete.
   to reward

Derived Forms

• ˈgratiˌfier, noun

Other Words From

• grati·fia·ble adjective
• grat·i·fi·ed·ly [grat, -, uh, -fahy-id-lee, -fahyd-], adverb
• grati·fier noun
• over·grati·fy verb (used with object) overgratified overgratifying
• pre·grati·fy verb (used with object) pregratified pregratifying
• super·grati·fy verb (used with object) supergratified supergratifying
• un·grati·fia·ble adjective
• un·grati·fied adjective
• well-grati·fied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gratify¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gratify¹

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

Synonym Study

See humor.

Example Sentences

Set in a variety of sexy locations, some of them actually where they claim to be — including England, Turkey, Croatia, Estonia, Spain and Germany — it, too, is a serial-killer story in a way, though the resident psychopath, the Jackal, kills people for money rather than to gratify some bizarre psychosis.

From Los Angeles Times

But it’s the houses that surprise visitors and gratify us, even if they can only be glimpsed from a sidewalk.

From Los Angeles Times

According to the lawsuit Grant alleges that McMahon defecated on Grant while forcing her to “sexually gratify” him and a friend during a threesome.

From Los Angeles Times

In one instance described in the lawsuit, McMahon allegedly defecated on Grant while forcing her to “sexually gratify” him and a friend during a threesome.

From Los Angeles Times

You're expected to extol chastity and "purity," but you're also expected to gratify the male gaze.

From Salon

Related Words

• delight
• enchant
• please
• thrill