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View synonyms for

dignify

[ dig-nuh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

dignified, dignifying.
  1. to confer honor or dignity upon; honor; ennoble.
  2. to give a high-sounding title or name to; confer unmerited distinction upon:

    to dignify pedantry by calling it scholarship.



dignify

/ ˈɪɡɪˌڲɪ /

verb

  1. to invest with honour or dignity; ennoble
  2. to add distinction to

    the meeting was dignified by the minister

  3. to add a semblance of dignity to, esp by the use of a pretentious name or title

    she dignifies every plant with its Latin name

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • v·徱n·ڲ verb (used with object) overdignified overdignifying
  • ܲȴ-徱n·ڲiԲ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of dignify1

1375–1425; late Middle English dignifien < Old French dignefier < Medieval Latin 徱Ծھ, equivalent to Latin dign ( us ) worthy + -ify
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Word History and Origins

Origin of dignify1

C15: from Old French dignifier, from Late Latin 徱Ծھ, from Latin dignus worthy + facere to make
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The immigration department said the women were "offered dignified treatment" after being taken to a detention centre where their biometric data and fingerprints were recorded.

From

Staff at the emergency department there started adapting the disposable male urinal bottle for women to use, lessening the need for catheters and making life more dignified and pain-free in hospital.

From

"Despite the claim by organisers of today's Easter Monday parade who said they wanted to hold a dignified commemoration, what we saw was the complete opposite," Supt Gillian Kearney said in a statement.

From

"Anything less would only further compound the grief and trauma of the Brown family, who — despite the passage of nearly 28 years — have not given up their courageous and dignified battle for justice."

From

Chekhov may not falsely console, but he dignifies the human struggle in a secular parable that lives again through the magic of ensemble brio and a director at the top of his game.

From

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dignifieddignitary