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dignify

gb/dˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/ us/dˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/
C1 Engleză
Sensuri
0 sensuri
Verb formal C1 action
1

make seem more respectable

To make something sound better or more important than it is.

Tipar de utilizare: dignify [something] (as/with/by + noun/phrase)
Greșeală frecventă:
Often needs an object: you dignify something (not just *dignify* meaning ‘be dignified’).
Sinonime
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.)
Antonime
belittle (Makes something seem less important or worthy.) | denigrate (Actively speaks of something in a negative way.)
Colocații
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
Teme
communication |opinions |society
Exemple
  • 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.”
Exemple pentru cursanți
  • 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.

Tipar de utilizare: dignify [event/occasion/place] (with [someone’s] presence/visit)
Greșeală frecventă:
This is formal and often sounds sarcastic if used about ordinary situations.
Sinonime
honor (More common and less formal than dignify.) | ennoble (Stronger; suggests making something noble in character.)
Antonime
dishonor (Removes honor or brings shame.) | debase (Lowers value or dignity.)
Colocații
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
Teme
ceremony |social_relations |culture
Exemple
  • Several former presidents dignified the inauguration with their presence.
  • Her calm leadership dignified the entire ceremony.
  • The award dignifies years of quiet volunteer work.
Exemple pentru cursanți
  • The mayor dignified the event with a short speech.
Verb formal C1 action
3

treat with dignity

To treat someone respectfully.

Tipar de utilizare: dignify [someone] (by/with [action])
Greșeală frecventă:
More natural in English to say 'treat someone with dignity' than 'dignify someone' in everyday speech.
Sinonime
respect (The most common everyday verb for this idea.) | value (Emphasizes appreciating worth, not necessarily behavior toward them.)
Antonime
humiliate (Treats someone in a way that causes shame and loss of dignity.) | dehumanize (Treats someone as less than fully human.)
Colocații
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
Teme
ethics |relationships |work
Exemple
  • 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.
Exemple pentru cursanți
  • We should dignify all customers with polite service.
Gramatică
Forma de dicționar
dignify
IPA
GB/dˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/
US/dˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/
Silabe și accent
dig - ni - fy (3 silabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (dig)
Forme ale cuvântului
Verb
  • Base: dignify
  • 3rd Person Singular: dignifies
  • Present Participle: dignifying
  • Past: dignified
Familie de cuvinte
Forms
dignifies verb dignifying verb dignified verb B2
Core family
dignity noun B2
Related words
dignitary noun
Negative and opposite forms
undignified adjective indignity noun C1
Expresii

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.

Exemple
  • 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.

Exemple
  • 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.

Exemple
  • 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.

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