gratify
UK: ˈɡrætɪfaɪ | US: ˈɡrætɪfaɪ
vt. to please or satisfy someone by giving them what they want
vt. to indulge or humor someone’s desires
vt. (archaic) to reward or repay a service
gratify = grat<pleasing> + ify<verb suffix>
- grat (from Latin gratus, meaning "pleasing, thankful")
- ify (a verb-forming suffix from Latin -ificare, meaning "to make or cause to be")
Etymology Origin:
The word gratify traces back to Latin gratificari ("to do a favor, oblige"), combining gratus (pleasing, grateful) and -ficare (a suffix meaning "to make"). Over time, it evolved in Middle French as gratifier before entering English in the 15th century. The core idea of "pleasing" remains central, whether through rewards, indulgence, or emotional satisfaction.
The manager’s praise gratified the team after their hard work.
She refused to gratify his unreasonable demands.
The king gratified his loyal subjects with land grants.
Social media likes gratify our need for validation.
Parents should avoid gratifying every whim of their children.