gratified

gratified — verb

IPA/ˈɡræt.ɪ.faɪ/
KK[ɡrˈætəfˌaɪd]IPA/ˈɡræt̬.ə.faɪ/
  • gratifiedpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • gratifieds3rd person singular
  • gratifieding-ing form
  • gratifiededpast simple

1. to cause someone to feel happy and satisfied, especially by fulfilling a wish, n

1.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to cause someone to feel happy and satisfied, especially by fulfilling a wish, need, or desire they have — for example, gratifying a child's curiosity about how things work, or gratifying a customer's special request.

Example

The head chef's praise for her dessert truly gratified Folake.

gratify + person as direct object

The university agreed to gratify the students' wish for longer library hours.

gratify + wish / need / request

Common collocations
  • gratify a wish
  • gratify a need
  • gratify curiosity
  • gratify a desire
  • gratify a request
Synonyms
  • please

    more common and less formal; 'gratify' has a stronger sense of fulfilling a specific wish

  • satisfy

    focuses on meeting a need or requirement rather than giving emotional pleasure

  • indulge

    implies giving in to a desire, often one that is excessive or momentary

  • delight

    stronger emotional reaction, often refers to something that gives great joy

Antonyms
  • displease

    to cause someone to feel unhappy or annoyed, the opposite of pleasing

Grammar Patterns

gratify + person

gratify + wish / need / desire / request

it gratifies + person + when-clause

it gratifies + person + to-infinitive

Usage Note

Often used with an abstract object such as 'a wish', 'a need', 'curiosity', or 'a desire'. The pattern 'it gratifies [person] when / to …' is also common.

Common Mistakes

I feel very gratify about the result.
I feel very gratified about the result.
'gratify' is a verb; the adjective form is 'gratified'.
I am very grateful for your help' (when meaning pleased by an outcome).
I am very gratified that the project succeeded.
'grateful' means thankful; 'gratified' means pleased with how something turned out.

gratified — adjective

IPA/ˈɡrætɪfaɪd/
KK[ɡrˈætəfˌaɪd]IPA/ˈɡrætɪfaɪd/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe a positive emotional state, but they differ in intensity and scope. 'Pleased' is the most general and common — it covers any mild happiness about a specific event. 'Satisfied' focuses more on meeting an expectation or standard than on emotion; you can be satisfied with a meal without feeling any particular joy. 'Content' implies a deeper, longer-lasting calm happiness with one's overall situation, not just a reaction to a single event. 'Delighted' is stronger and more lively than 'gratified' — it suggests a sudden, bright happiness. For example: 'Luca was pleased to receive a compliment' (mild), 'He was satisfied that the numbers added up' (checking a standard), 'He felt content living in the countryside' (ongoing state), 'He was delighted when his sister arrived early' (sudden joy). 'Gratified' sits between 'pleased' and 'delighted' — it describes the warm feeling when something you personally hoped for or worked toward has come true.

pleased ↗satisfied ↗content ↗delighted ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word comes from Latin 'gratus' meaning 'pleasing, thankful' combined with 'facere' meaning 'to make or do', forming 'gratificari' (to do a favour, to please). It entered English through French 'gratifier' in the 1500s, originally keeping the sense of 'showing favour to someone'. Over time the meaning shifted from 'doing a favour' to 'giving pleasure or satisfaction'.

First known use

1539

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 3