dignify

IPA/ˈdɪɡnɪfaɪ/
KK[dˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ]IPA/ˈdɪɡnɪfaɪ/

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。

常見搭配
  • dignify + ceremony
  • dignify + effort
  • dignify + space
  • dignify + occasion
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

常見搭配
  • refuse to dignify
  • not dignify
  • dignify + rumour
  • dignify + insult
  • dignify + accusation
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.

同根字

常見搭配

名詞搭配

副詞搭配

常用片語

  • refuse to dignify
  • not dignify ... with

介系詞搭配