gratify

/ˈɡrætɪfaɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡrætɪfaɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgra-tə-ˌfī/ (ame, mw)

gratify — verb

  • gratifypresent simple I / you / we / they
  • gratifieshe / she / it
  • gratifiedpast simple
  • gratifying-ing form

1. to make someone feel pleased, especially because their effort, opinion, or worth

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to make someone feel pleased, especially because their effort, opinion, or worth has been recognised.

例句

Esme was gratified to hear that her students had praised her teaching.

be gratified to + infinitive (formal)

The warm welcome from the village families gratified Rohan after his long journey home.

同義詞
  • please

    everyday neutral; gratify is more formal and implies recognition or merit.

  • delight

    stronger and more emotional; gratify is quieter and tied to deserved satisfaction.

  • satisfy

    broader — can refer to needs as well as feelings; gratify centres on the feeling itself.

反義詞

文法句型

gratify + person

be gratified by + noun

be gratified to + infinitive

用法筆記

Frequently passive (be gratified by / to). Subject of the active form is usually an outcome, response, or recognition rather than a person performing a deliberate action.

常見錯誤

❌The boss gratified Tyler with a small bonus.
✅The boss pleased Tyler with a small bonus.
💡'gratify' is rarely used of a person deliberately rewarding someone; use 'please' or 'reward'.

2. to allow a wish, desire, or need to be met or acted on, often one that is selfis

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to allow a wish, desire, or need to be met or acted on, often one that is selfish or hard to resist.

例句

Christopher gratified his curiosity by opening the old wooden box in the attic.

gratify + curiosity / wish / desire

Élise refused to gratify her brother's demand for another expensive video game.

同義詞
  • satisfy

    most common neutral choice; gratify hints the desire was somewhat self-indulgent.

  • indulge

    stresses giving in to a desire one perhaps should resist.

  • fulfil

    broader and more positive; gratify often carries a slight sense of yielding.

反義詞
  • deny

    to refuse to let a wish or need be met.

  • frustrate

    to actively block a desire from being satisfied.

文法句型

gratify + noun (desire/wish/need)

用法筆記

Object must be a desire, wish, need, craving, curiosity, or appetite — not a person. Distinguish from sense 1 (which takes a person as object).

常見錯誤

❌Ayana gratified the children with sweets.
✅Ayana pleased the children with sweets.
💡this sense needs a desire-type object, not a person.