gratify
C1formal, literary
Definition
Meaning
to satisfy or please someone; to give pleasure or contentment, often by fulfilling a desire or wish.
To indulge or humor someone by giving them what they want; to satisfy a specific emotional or psychological need, such as pride, curiosity, or vanity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a deliberate act to please, sometimes by yielding to a desire. Can carry a slightly self-conscious or intellectual tone compared to simpler synonyms like 'please'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Slightly more common in British formal writing.
Connotations
In both varieties, often associated with formal praise, intellectual satisfaction, or the fulfillment of more refined or specific desires.
Frequency
Low-frequency in everyday speech; primarily used in writing, formal contexts, and literature.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SBJ gratify OBJSBJ be gratified by OBJSBJ be gratified that-CLAUSESBJ be gratified to-INFVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “gratify a whim”
- “gratify every appetite”
- “gratify one's vanity”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in formal reports: 'The results gratified our investors.'
Academic
Used in social sciences or humanities to discuss motivation: 'The theory gratifies the human need for pattern.'
Everyday
Very rare in casual speech. 'I was gratified by your kind words.' sounds formal.
Technical
Occurs in psychology or marketing: 'instant gratification', 'to gratify a consumer need'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The positive reviews gratified the young author immensely.
- He refused to gratify their curiosity with a detailed explanation.
American English
- The team's success gratified the coach's years of effort.
- We don't want to gratify that kind of attention-seeking behavior.
adverb
British English
- He nodded gratifiedly, content with the agreement.
American English
- She smiled gratifiedly upon receiving the award.
adjective
British English
- She had a gratified smile after reading the complimentary letter.
- A gratified sense of accomplishment washed over him.
American English
- He was visibly gratified by the public recognition.
- The gratified customer wrote a glowing online review.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher was gratified by her students' progress.
- It gratified him to see his advice taken.
- The charity's work gratifies a deep need to help others.
- I am gratified to learn that my research has been useful.
- The judge refused to gratify the defendant's desire for a public spectacle.
- Historical fiction gratifies our curiosity about the past while allowing for artistic license.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'GRATitude' + 'IFY' (to make). To make someone feel grateful by pleasing them.
Conceptual Metaphor
PLEASURE IS A GIFT / DESIRE IS A CONTAINER TO BE FILLED.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'гратифицировать' (устаревшее/псевдоанглицизм). Ближайший прямой перевод — 'доставлять удовольствие', 'угождать'. 'Gratify' часто требует более сложной конструкции, чем русский 'радовать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in overly casual contexts where 'please' is better. Incorrect: 'That gratifies me!' (too strong/formal for a small pleasure). Overusing the passive 'I am gratified'.
Practice
Quiz
Which context is MOST suitable for 'gratify'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a mid-to-low frequency word used primarily in formal writing, literature, and academic contexts. In everyday speech, 'please' or 'satisfy' are far more common.
'Gratify' is more formal and often implies satisfying a specific, sometimes deeper, desire or need (like curiosity, vanity, or a wish). 'Please' is general and neutral, used for any act of giving pleasure.
It is grammatically possible but rare and can sound awkward or overly literal. The adjective form 'gratified' is more natural for the feeling (e.g., 'I felt gratified'). The phrase is often associated with the concept of 'self-gratification' which has a specific, sometimes negative, connotation.
The most common noun form is 'gratification' (e.g., 'instant gratification'). The agent noun 'grattifier' is obsolete and not used.