dignify

/ˈdɪɡnɪfaɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdɪɡnɪfaɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdig-nə-ˌfī/ (ame, mw)

dignify — 動詞

  • dignifypresent simple I / you / we / they
  • dignifieshe / she / it
  • dignifiedpast simple
  • dignifying-ing form

1. to give something a sense of worth, seriousness, or importance — for example, ad

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

彰顯；提升

賦予事物莊重或重要的地位

to give something a sense of worth, seriousness, or importance — for example, adding beautiful details that make a simple room feel elegant, or holding a formal ceremony that honours people's hard work.

例句

The mayor hoped the new art gallery would dignify the old industrial district.

市長希望新的美術館能讓這個老舊工業區更顯莊重。

dignify + noun phrase (place/area)

A simple wooden bench can dignify a garden more than expensive statues.

一張簡單的木凳比昂貴的雕像更能提升花園的氣質。

同義詞
  • elevate

    emphasises lifting to a higher status; more common in figurative use

  • honour

    more personal and emotional; 'dignify' is more about bestowed worth

  • ennoble

    formal, historical; suggests raising moral or social standing

反義詞
  • degrade

    to lower in quality or character

  • cheapen

    to make something seem less valuable or worthy

文法句型

dignify + object

用法筆記

Frequently used in formal or ceremonial contexts. The subject is often an institution, an event, or an abstract concept (art, ceremony, award), not a person acting spontaneously.

常見錯誤

❌We dignified the office with a new sofa.
✅We dignified the office with a piece of artwork from a local painter.
💡'dignify' in this sense pairs better with meaningful additions than generic furniture.
❌She dignified her speech.
✅The formal occasion dignified the speaker's remarks.
💡The subject that bestows dignity is usually an event or setting, not a person's own action.

2. to describe or treat something in a way that makes it seem more important or res

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

冠以美名

以不當方式美化事物

to describe or treat something in a way that makes it seem more important or respectable than it really is — often used to show that the speaker does not believe the importance is deserved. For example, calling a small problem a 'challenge' to make it sound bigger, or giving a silly idea a serious name.

例句

The company tried to dignify its layoffs by calling them a 'workforce optimisation plan'.

這間公司試圖將裁員美其名為「人力資源優化方案」。

dignify + noun phrase + by + gerund

Khalid refused to dignify the false rumour with a public response.

Khalid 拒絕公開回應這個假消息，以免讓它顯得重要。

refuse to dignify + noun phrase + with + noun phrase

同義詞
  • glorify

    stronger and more critical; implies overpraising

  • aggrandise

    very formal; making something seem greater in power or wealth

  • whitewash

    implies covering up flaws to make something look better

反義詞
  • expose

    to reveal the true (often bad) nature of something

  • belittle

    to make something seem unimportant

文法句型

dignify + object + with/by + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Almost always used in negative contexts or ironic statements. Common collocates are refuse/not/would not dignify + something + with/by. The object is typically something undesirable (rumour, insult, accusation, layoff).

常見錯誤

❌He dignified the rumour with a reply.
✅He refused to dignify the rumour with a reply.
💡This sense is almost always used in negative constructions or irony.
❌The teacher dignified the student's question.
✅The teacher dignified the silly question by giving it a thoughtful answer.
💡Without context showing the question was undeserving, the meaning is unclear.