
verb (used with object), grat·i·fied, grat·i·fy·ing.
- 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.
- to satisfy; indulge; humor, as one’s desires or appetites.
- Obsolete. to reward; remunerate.
verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr)
- to satisfy or please
- to yield to or indulge (a desire, whim, etc)
- obsolete to reward
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.