dignify
gb/dˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/ us/dˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/
C1
English
szebb színben feltüntet, felnagyít, megtisztel, méltóságot ad, megbecsül, tisztelettel kezel
VERB
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
dignify [something] (as/with/by + noun/phrase)
It’s hard to dignify that mess by calling it a business plan.
Nehéz azt a káoszt azzal szebb színben feltüntetni, hogy üzleti tervnek nevezzük.
The report dignifies a minor disagreement as a major crisis.
A jelentés egy kisebb nézeteltérést súlyos válságként állít be.
Don’t dignify his gossip as “concern.”
Learner examples
She tried to dignify the mistake as an experiment.
Megpróbálta a hibát kísérletnek beállítani.
We shouldn’t dignify that rumor with attention.
Nem kellene figyelemre méltatnunk azt a pletykát.
Common mistake:
Often needs an object: you dignify something (not just *dignify* meaning ‘be dignified’).
Meaning
make seem more respectable
Collocations
dignify it as
|dignify it with the name
|dignify the behavior
|dignify the claim
|dignify the idea
|dignify the rumor
|dignify the theory
|dignify the argument
|hard to dignify
|refuse to dignify
Synonyms
glamorize (Suggests making something seem attractive, not just respectable.)
|
dress up (More informal; emphasizes making something look better than it is.)
|
elevate (More neutral; can imply raising status, not necessarily unfairly.)
Antonyms
belittle (Makes something seem less important or worthy.)
|
denigrate (Actively speaks of something in a negative way.)
Themes
communication
|opinions
|society
Definition
To make something sound better or more important than it is.
To make something seem more respectable, important, or acceptable than it really is, often by describing it in a more favorable way.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
megtisztel
B2
Usage pattern:
dignify [event/occasion/place] (with [someone’s] presence/visit)
Several former presidents dignified the inauguration with their presence.
Több korábbi elnök is megtisztelte jelenlétével a beiktatást.
Her calm leadership dignified the entire ceremony.
Nyugodt vezetése méltóságot adott az egész ünnepségnek.
The award dignifies years of quiet volunteer work.
Learner examples
The mayor dignified the event with a short speech.
A polgármester egy rövid beszéddel megtisztelte az eseményt.
Common mistake:
This is formal and often sounds sarcastic if used about ordinary situations.
Meaning
give honor or status
Collocations
dignify the occasion
|dignify the ceremony
|dignify the event
|dignify the proceedings
|dignify the role
|dignify the office
|dignify the meeting
|dignify with your presence
|dignify with a visit
|dignify with attendance
Synonyms
honor (More common and less formal than dignify.)
|
ennoble (Stronger; suggests making something noble in character.)
Antonyms
dishonor (Removes honor or brings shame.)
|
debase (Lowers value or dignity.)
Themes
ceremony
|social_relations
|culture
Definition
To make an event feel more important by being there or taking part.
To honor someone or something, or to give an occasion or role more dignity or importance, often by someone’s presence or participation.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
3
megbecsül
B2
Usage pattern:
dignify [someone] (by/with [action])
The organization aims to dignify low-paid work by improving conditions and pay.
A szervezet a munkakörülmények és a bérek javításával akarja megbecsültebbé tenni az alulfizetett munkát.
Using people’s chosen names helps dignify them in difficult situations.
Az, ha az embereket a választott nevükön szólítjuk, segít abban, hogy nehéz helyzetekben is tisztelettel bánjunk velük.
A fair hearing dignifies everyone involved.
Learner examples
We should dignify all customers with polite service.
Minden ügyfelet tisztelettel kell kezelnünk, és udvariasan kell kiszolgálnunk.
Common mistake:
More natural in English to say 'treat someone with dignity' than 'dignify someone' in everyday speech.
Meaning
treat with dignity
Collocations
dignify patients
|dignify workers
|dignify employees
|dignify people
|dignify someone by
|dignify someone with
|dignify their lives
|dignify their work
|dignify the person
|dignify the individual
Synonyms
respect (The most common everyday verb for this idea.)
|
value (Emphasizes appreciating worth, not necessarily behavior toward them.)
Antonyms
humiliate (Treats someone in a way that causes shame and loss of dignity.)
|
dehumanize (Treats someone as less than fully human.)
Themes
ethics
|relationships
|work
Definition
To treat someone respectfully.
To treat someone in a way that shows respect and recognizes their value as a person.
Grammar
Dictionary form
dignify
IPA
GB/dˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/
US/dˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/
Syllables & stress
dig - ni - fy (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (dig)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: dignify
- 3rd Person Singular: dignifies
- Present Participle: dignifying
- Past: dignified
Word family
Expressions
dignify [an occasion/event] with your presence
1/dˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ ən ˈɑkˈeɪʃənɪvˈɛnt wˈɪθ jˈʊɹ pɹˈɛzəns/
fixed phrase
formal
attend to honor an event
To go to an event and make it feel important.
Examples
- Thank you for dignifying our wedding with your presence.
- He finally dignified the meeting with his presence, twenty minutes late.
- Would you dignify the launch event with your presence next week?
Learner examples
- She dignified the ceremony with her presence.
dignify [something] with a response
1/dˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ sˈʌmθɪŋ wˈɪθ ə ɹɪspˈɑns/
fixed phrase
formal
reply as if it’s worthy
To answer (or refuse to answer) because you think it isn’t worth it.
Examples
- She refused to dignify the insult with a response.
- Don’t dignify that comment with a response—just move on.
- He didn’t dignify the accusation with a response.
Learner examples
- I won’t dignify that rumor with a response.
dignify [something] with an answer
1/dˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ sˈʌmθɪŋ wˈɪθ ən ˈænsɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
give an answer unwillingly
To answer even though you think it isn’t worth answering.
Examples
- The company would not dignify the allegations with an answer.
- I’m not going to dignify that question with an answer.
- She dignified his complaint with an answer and then ended the call.
Learner examples
- He didn’t dignify the rude question with an answer.