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 of gratify

• indulge
• please
• satisfy
• cater (to)
• humor
• delight
• spoil

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

The program’s first state title would be a gratifying reward for a long climb through Stillwater’s lacrosse ranks. — Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 11 June 2026

The original is a gratifying valentine. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 June 2026

That is, the person who chooses a gratifying activity in the present moment is correct in relation to their current desires, but wrong about their future ones. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026

Instead, Price opts for slow builds and gratifying payoffs, creating a tension that sustains the momentum of the record without getting lost in the details. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 July 2026

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

Rhymes for gratify

• abscissae
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi

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