DIGNIFY (dignified)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected form: dignified   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does dignify mean? 

• DIGNIFY (verb)
  The verb DIGNIFY has 2 senses:

1. confer dignity or honor upon

2. raise the status of

  Familiarity information: DIGNIFY used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DIGNIFY (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they dignify    ... he / she / it dignifies   
Past simple: dignified   
Past participle: dignified   
-ing form: dignifying   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Confer dignity or honor upon

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

dignify; ennoble

Context example:

He was dignified with a title

Hypernyms (to "dignify" is one way to...):

honor; honour; reward (bestow honor or rewards upon)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

dignity (the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Raise the status of

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

I shall not dignify this insensitive remark with an answer

Hypernyms (to "dignify" is one way to...):

elevate; lift; raise (raise in rank or condition)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

 Context examples 

She must admire him as a fine-looking man, with most gentlemanlike, dignified, consistent manners; but perhaps, having seen him so seldom, his reserve may be a little repulsive.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

I have not much pride under such circumstances: I would always rather be happy than dignified; and I ran after him—he stood at the foot of the stairs.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

The men were not grave and dignified.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Then he tried to be more dignified, and the master laughed harder than before.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

It was with him, of so simple, yet so dignified a nature.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

I merely meant you to be properly dignified and composed, and you made yourself a perfect stock and stone.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Never in her life had she seen his manners so little dignified, never had he spoken with such gentleness as on this unexpected meeting.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

It has been dignified and liberal.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

I took the hand she held out with a dignified, unbending air, and it was as calm in mine as if her breast had been at peace.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

A very dignified and logical remonstrance.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)