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

Adam Blander, a New York lawyer for the plaintiffs, said law firm Wolf Popper is gratified to get this result after seven years. — Chase Jordan october 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026

Rogoff said he was gratified the court required compliance with the Constitution and federal law. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026

Hearing from people who told us they felt seen by our partnership has been the most emotional and gratifying part of the whole experience for me. — Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2026

To say more about director George Roy Hill’s remarkably gratifying thriller would risk spoiling it. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 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