dignity

noun

dig·​ni·​ty ˈdig-nə-tē 

plural dignities

1

: formal reserve or seriousness of manner, appearance, or language

2

: the quality or state of being worthy of honor or respect

3

a

: high rank, office, or position

b

: a legal title of nobility or honor

4

archaic : dignitary

Synonyms of dignity

• nobility
• quality
• rank
• state
• highness

Examples of dignity in a Sentence

Jenny Daggers links feminist critiques and interreligious dialogue, arguing that our failure to treat people of other traditions with dignity matches in deed and rhetoric our inability to see that women are full and equal members of the community. —Francis X. Clooney, Commonweal, 11 Sept. 2009

When King spoke about the racist past, he gloried in black people beating the odds to win equal rights by arming "ourselves with dignity and self-respect." —Juan Williams, Wall Street Journal, 4 Apr. 2008

The period just after the Revolutionary War (1780-1820) was a time to project hard-won dignity, not show off. Federal interiors featured muted wall colors … and delicately carved or inlaid decoration. —Kelly Beamon, This Old House, March 2008

Roger was beaming. His creased fat face literally shone with pleasure, which, for the sake of dignity, he struggled to contain. —Alice Adams, The Story and Its Writer, 1987

Every speaker tries to create a love affair with his or her audience. But when the phenomenon called Maya Angelou takes the lectern at Pensacola (Florida) Junior College, she does not so much speak to the audience as "embrace" it. She sings, reads verse, thunders oratorically, even dances. Standing a majestic six feet tall and gifted with a resonant voice and … dignity, she is a poet, preacher, performer extraordinaire. —Cheryl McCall, People, 8 Mar. 1982

She showed dignity in defeat.

The ceremony was conducted with great dignity.

Theirs is a country that cherishes freedom and human dignity.

Recent Examples on the Web

At our university, employee stories can connect everyday work to our hallmarks, from honoring the dignity of each person to building community and serving others. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

That was Fred Claire personified, honest to the end, refusing to sacrifice his integrity, never surrendering his dignity. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Their memory, their suffering and their dignity will be forever etched in our minds and presented to the eyes of the world. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Ashley Faison-Maddox is building support for survivors of human trafficking while creating space for healing, dignity and hope. — The Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dignete, from Anglo-French digneté, from Latin dignitat-, dignitas, from dignus

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing dignity

• beneath one's dignity

Rhymes for dignity

• indignity
• malignity

Kids Definition

dignity

noun

dig·​ni·​ty ˈdig-nət-ē 

plural dignities

1

: the quality or state of being worthy, honored, or respected

2

: high rank, office, or position

3

: a look or way of behaving that suggests seriousness and self-control