gratify

[ grat-uh-fahy ]
/ ˈgræt əˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object), grat·i·fied, grat·i·fy·ing.

to give pleasure to (a person or persons) by satisfying desires or humoring inclinations or feelings: Her praise will gratify all who worked so hard to earn it.
to satisfy; indulge; humor, as one's desires or appetites.
Obsolete. to reward; remunerate.

Origin of gratify

1350–1400; Middle English gratifien < Latin grātificāre, equivalent to grāt(us) pleasing + -i- -i- + -ficāre -fy

OTHER WORDS FROM gratify

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH gratify

grateful gratified (see synonym study at grateful)

Example sentences from the Web for gratify

British Dictionary definitions for gratify

gratify
/ (ˈɡrætɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr)

to satisfy or please
to yield to or indulge (a desire, whim, etc)
obsolete to reward

Derived forms of gratify

gratifier, noun

Word Origin for gratify

C16: from Latin grātificārī to do a favour to, from grātus grateful + facere to make