dignify
gb/dˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/ us/dˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
formal
C1
action
1
make seem more respectable
To make something sound better or more important than it is.
Usage pattern:
dignify [something] (as/with/by + noun/phrase)
Common mistake:
Often needs an object: you dignify something (not just *dignify* meaning ‘be dignified’).
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.)
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
Themes
communication
|opinions
|society
Examples
- It’s hard to dignify that mess by calling it a business plan.
- The report dignifies a minor disagreement as a major crisis.
- Don’t dignify his gossip as “concern.”
Learner examples
- She tried to dignify the mistake as an experiment.
- We shouldn’t dignify that rumor with attention.
Verb
formal
C1
action
2
give honor or status
To make an event feel more important by being there or taking part.
Usage pattern:
dignify [event/occasion/place] (with [someone’s] presence/visit)
Common mistake:
This is formal and often sounds sarcastic if used about ordinary situations.
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.)
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
Themes
ceremony
|social_relations
|culture
Examples
- Several former presidents dignified the inauguration with their presence.
- Her calm leadership dignified the entire ceremony.
- The award dignifies years of quiet volunteer work.
Learner examples
- The mayor dignified the event with a short speech.
Verb
formal
C1
action
3
treat with dignity
To treat someone respectfully.
Usage pattern:
dignify [someone] (by/with [action])
Common mistake:
More natural in English to say 'treat someone with dignity' than 'dignify someone' in everyday speech.
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.)
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
Themes
ethics
|relationships
|work
Examples
- The organization aims to dignify low-paid work by improving conditions and pay.
- Using people’s chosen names helps dignify them in difficult situations.
- A fair hearing dignifies everyone involved.
Learner examples
- We should dignify all customers with polite service.
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?
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.
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.