Word
gratification
Phoneticsgrat·i·fi·ca·tion, stress on the fourth syllable
US/ˌɡɹætəfəˈkeɪʃən/
UK/ɡɹˌætɪfɪkˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01pleasure or satisfaction
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the feeling of pleasure you get when you satisfy a need, a desire, or a goal.
n. the state of being gratified; a sense of pleasure or satisfaction derived from the fulfillment of a desire or expectation.
“Eating a chocolate bar gave her a moment of instant gratification.”
“Psychologists often study the ability to delay gratification as a key indicator of long-term success and emotional maturity in developing children.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02the act of pleasing
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic · Formal
n. the act of giving someone what they want or making them feel pleased.
n. the act of pleasing or satisfying a person, an appetite, or a desire.
“The gratification of his every wish made the child very spoiled.”
“The rapid expansion of social media is largely driven by the immediate gratification of the user's need for social validation.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03a reward or tip
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Law Archaic · Formal · Technical
n. a small gift of money or a reward given for a service.
n. a reward, recompense, or gratuity given for services rendered.
“In the old story, the traveler gave a small gratification to the guide.”
“The contract stipulated that a modest gratification would be paid to the agents upon the successful brokering of the maritime agreement.”
Real-World Examples
“The defendant also previously pleaded guilty to sharing intimate photographs or film of his wife, without her consent, for sexual gratification.” “The result is a culture in which pleasure is subordinated to programs of optimisation and replaced at scale by numbing algorithmic stimulation and promises of instant gratification.” “It's a pattern we've all seen when taking photos on our phones but now that fast-paced, instant gratification is being challenged.” “But life offers no prizes for being so good at deferring gratification that you accumulate a thousand uneaten marshmallows, then drop dead.” Etymology
From Latin grātificātiō either directly or through Middle French gratification, from Latin grātificō (“to do a favor to, oblige, please, gratify”), from grātus (“kind, pleasing”) + faciō (“to make”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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