gratify

[grat-uh-fahy] /ˈgræt əˌfaɪ/
verb (used with object), gratified, gratifying.
1.
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.
2.
to satisfy; indulge; humor, as one's desires or appetites.
3.
Obsolete. to reward; remunerate.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English gratifien < Latin grātificāre, equivalent to grāt(us) pleasing + -i- -i- + -ficāre -fy
Related forms
gratifiable, adjective
gratifiedly
[grat-uh-fahy-id-lee, -fahyd-] /ˈgræt əˌfaɪ ɪd li, -ˌfaɪd-/ (Show IPA), adverb
gratifier, noun
overgratify, verb (used with object), overgratified, overgratifying.
pregratify, verb (used with object), pregratified, pregratifying.
supergratify, verb (used with object), supergratified, supergratifying.
ungratifiable, adjective
ungratified, adjective
well-gratified, adjective
Can be confused
grateful, gratified (see synonym study at grateful)
Synonyms
1. please, delight, gladden. 1, 2. See humor.
Examples from the web for gratify
  • Similarly, a balanced home-made ration could satisfy the specific requirements of old dogs and gratify their owners.
  • The economist may enter, if he chooses, and make an appearance that will gratify himself and his friends.
  • Victory, for its own sake, can gratify only pride or anger.
  • She is a pleasant speaker, and will gratify the ear, if not the sense.
  • Mud pies gratify one of our first and best instincts.
  • Or gratify the news media with controversial or humorous quotes.
  • One who officiously carries reports of private matters to gratify malice or idle curiosity.
  • Motivation deficiency occurs when an individual is completely frustrated in attempting to gratify a specific need.
  • Custody awards are not made or changed to gratify the desires of either parent, or to reward or punish either one of them.
  • Custody awards are not made or changed to punish or reward or gratify the desires of either parent.
British Dictionary definitions for gratify

gratify

/ˈɡrætɪˌfaɪ/
verb (transitive) -fies, -fying, -fied
1.
to satisfy or please
2.
to yield to or indulge (a desire, whim, etc)
3.
(obsolete) to reward
Derived Forms
gratifier, noun
Word Origin
C16: from Latin grātificārī to do a favour to, from grātus grateful + facere to make
Word Origin and History for gratify
v.

c.1400, "to bestow grace upon;" 1530s, "to show gratitude to," from French gratifier (16c.) or directly from Latin gratificari "to do favor to, oblige, gratify," from gratus "pleasing" (see grace) + root of facere "make, do, perform" (see factitious). Meaning "to give pleasure to" is from 1560s. Related: Gratified; gratifying.