dignity
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the quality of being worthy of respect, or the right to be treated with respect.
the state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect; an inherent right to be treated ethically.
Simple“The charity works to protect the dignity of people living in poverty.”
In context“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights asserts that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a calm and serious way of behaving that makes you look in control.
a composed or serious manner or style; decorum and stateliness in conduct.
Simple“She kept her dignity even when she was being treated unfairly.”
In context“Despite the aggressive questioning from the press, the minister maintained her dignity and refused to be drawn into a shouting match.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
a high position or rank in society or an organization.
a high office, rank, or station in a social or professional hierarchy.
Simple“He was promoted to the dignity of a cardinal.”
In context“The historical documents detail the various dignities and titles bestowed upon the family during the seventeenth century.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
a person who holds a very high or important position.
a person who holds a high rank or office; a dignitary.
Simple“The king was surrounded by the various dignities of the court.”
In context“The procession was led by the local dignities, each wearing the traditional robes of their respective offices.”
Synonymsdignitaryofficial
“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”.”
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.