Word
dignity
Phoneticsdig·ni·ty, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdɪɡnəti/
UK/dˈɪɡnɪti/
Definitions
01self-respect and worth
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the quality of being worthy of respect, or the right to be treated with respect.
n. the state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect; an inherent right to be treated ethically.
日本語:尊厳※
“The charity works to protect the dignity of people living in poverty.”
“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights asserts that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”
02calm behavior
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a calm and serious way of behaving that makes you look in control.
n. a composed or serious manner or style; decorum and stateliness in conduct.
日本語:威厳※
“She kept her dignity even when she was being treated unfairly.”
“Despite the aggressive questioning from the press, the minister maintained her dignity and refused to be drawn into a shouting match.”
Antonyms
03high rank
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. a high position or rank in society or an organization.
n. a high office, rank, or station in a social or professional hierarchy.
日本語:高位※
“He was promoted to the dignity of a cardinal.”
“The historical documents detail the various dignities and titles bestowed upon the family during the seventeenth century.”
04a person of high rank
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Archaic · Formal
n. a person who holds a very high or important position.
n. a person who holds a high rank or office; a dignitary.
“The king was surrounded by the various dignities of the court.”
“The procession was led by the local dignities, each wearing the traditional robes of their respective offices.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “dignity” in context.
Verb
01. maintain one's dignity
“Despite the harsh criticism from the press, the minister managed to maintain her dignity throughout the trial.”
verb + possessive + noun
02. strip someone of dignity
“The inhumane conditions in the prison were designed to strip the inmates of their dignity.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
03. uphold human dignity
“The new legislation was drafted specifically to uphold human dignity in the workplace.”
verb + adj + noun
Adjective
04. quiet dignity
“She faced the terminal diagnosis with a quiet dignity that moved everyone who knew her.”
adj + noun
05. shattered dignity
“He walked away from the failed negotiation with his shattered dignity barely intact.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. loss of dignity
“The public apology was seen by many as a necessary, albeit painful, loss of dignity for the CEO.”
noun + of + noun
07. sense of dignity
“Living in poverty can often erode a person's sense of dignity and self-worth.”
noun + of + noun
Preposition
08. beneath one's dignity
“He felt that performing menial tasks like cleaning the office was beneath his dignity.”
prep + noun
09. with dignity
“The defeated candidate accepted the election results with dignity and grace.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“Helen Whately, the Tories' shadow pensions secretary, said that rather than disputes about Brexit, "British people want welfare spending under control, abuse stamped out and dignity for people who are seriously disabled".” “Bright white flags of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have been installed this week across the Afghan capital Kabul, with new murals declaring: “Independence is a sign of dignity, pride and identity”.” Etymology
Inherited from Middle English dignyte, from Old French dignité, from Latin dignitās (“worthiness, merit, dignity, grandeur, authority, rank, office”), from dignus (“worthy, appropriate”), from Proto-Italic degnos, from Proto-Indo-European dḱ-nos, from *deḱ- (“to take”). See also decus (“honor, esteem”) and decet (“it is fitting”). Cognate to deign. Doublet of dainty. In this sense, displaced native Old English weorþsċipe, which became Modern English worship.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/dignity
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0