Cambridge Dictionaries online

The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English


gratify verb

Click to hear the UK pronunciation of this wordClick to hear the US pronunciation of this word/ˈgræt.ɪ.faɪ//ˈgræt ̬.ə-/ v [T]

Definition

to please someone, or to satisfy a wish or need
We were gratified by the response to our appeal.
[+ to infinitive] He was gratified to see how well his students had done.

gratification noun

Click to hear the UK pronunciation of this wordClick to hear the US pronunciation of this word/ˌgræt.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən//ˌgræt ̬.ə-/ n [U]
sexual gratification
Some people expect instant gratification (= to get what they want immediately).

(Definition of gratify verb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

NEW “gratify” in other dictionaries

Word of the Day

get in a sweat

to worry

Word of the Day

Blog

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Learn More

New Words

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.

Learn More