# gratification

/ˌɡɹætəfəˈkeɪʃən/ (US) · /ɡɹˌætɪfɪkˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gratification
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 2. the act of pleasing

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the act of giving someone what they want or satisfying a need.

For teachers: the act of pleasing or satisfying a desire, appetite, or taste.

- The gratification of every whim can lead to a very spoiled child.
- The study examined how the delayed gratification of physical needs affected the participants' cognitive performance during the experiment.

Usage: Commonly functions as an uncountable noun when referring to the abstract act of satisfying needs.

### 3. a reward or tip

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Archaic

a small amount of money given as a reward for a service.

For teachers: a gratuity, reward, or payment given in return for a service or favour.

- The traveler offered a small gratification to the guide for his extra help.
- In the eighteenth century, it was customary to provide a modest gratification to domestic staff upon one's departure from a grand estate.

Teaching tip: This sense is rare in modern English; 'gratuity' or 'tip' is preferred in almost all contemporary contexts.

## Examples

- Eating the cake gave her instant gratification.
- Many people struggle with the concept of delayed gratification, preferring small immediate rewards over larger future ones.
- The digital age has conditioned consumers to expect immediate gratification, fundamentally altering the traditional patience required for artisanal craftsmanship or long-form academic research.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.