gratify

verb

grat·​i·​fy ˈgra-tə-ˌfī 

gratified; gratifying

transitive verb

1

: to be a source of or give pleasure or satisfaction to

it gratified him to have his wife wear jewels

—Willa Cather

2

: to give in to : indulge, satisfy

gratify a whim

3

archaic : remunerate, reward

Did you know?

A gratifying experience is quietly pleasing or satisfying. But gratifying an impulse means giving in to it, which isn't always such a good idea, and "instant gratification" of every desire will result in a life based on junk food and worse. Truly gratifying experiences and accomplishments usually are the result of time and effort.

Synonyms

• cater (to)
• humor
• indulge

Examples of gratify in a Sentence

A guilty verdict would gratify the victim's relatives.

He's only concerned with gratifying his own desires.

Recent Examples on the Web

We’re gratified to renew our relationship with TikTok predicated on significant advancements in commercial and marketing opportunities as well as protections provided to our industry-leading roster on their platform. —Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 2 May 2024

Tarantino’s counterfactual ingenuity in linking the two fictional performers to the real-life story of the Manson family was weighed down by the sediment of movie-world references, which seemed mostly designed to gratify his swoony fascination with cinematic history and his own place in it. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 2 May 2024

Donald Trump secured a gratifying victory in South Carolina on Saturday that sends a warning message to Nikki Haley's underdog campaign: Even in your home state, the Republican Party wants me. —Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024

Those changes gratified some business organizations and their henchpersons in Congress, but disturbed environmental groups. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024

She’s been gratified by the response to the book, now in a second printing, around the country. —Ellen Piligian, Detroit Free Press, 7 Jan. 2024

Self-employment can be intense, frustrating, and tiring at times while also being rewarding, gratifying, and enriching. —Joseph Liu, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024

For those of us who have been eating patty melts for years, seeing all these new versions is both gratifying and disconcerting. —Pete Wells, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2024

The sumptuous ship makes for a visually gratifying locked-room mystery, and Beane holds her own as Patinkin’s skeptical mentee and PI-in-training. —Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 22 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French gratifier, from Latin gratificari to show kindness to, from gratus + -ificari, passive of -ificare -ify

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

gratify

verb

grat·​i·​fy ˈgrat-ə-ˌfī 

gratified; gratifying

1

: to give or be a source of pleasure or satisfaction to

2

: to grant a favor to : indulge

gratification

ˌgrat-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən

noun