# gratified

/ˈɡɹætəˌfaɪd/ (US) · /ɡɹˈætɪfˌaɪd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gratified
Updated: 2026-10-19

## Definition

feeling pleased and thankful because something good happened or someone did something kind for you.

For teachers: feeling pleasure or satisfaction in response to something done, given, or said. Often follows a linking verb such as feel and takes 'by', 'that', or 'to'-clause complements.

## Examples

- She feels gratified by the kind messages.
- The teacher feels gratified when former students return to thank her for her help.
- He felt deeply gratified to learn that his quiet donations had kept the neighbourhood library open through its hardest year.

## Synonyms

pleased, grateful, thankful, appreciative

## Antonyms

disappointed, displeased, ungrateful

## Usage notes

- Typically follows a linking verb; complements with 'by' + noun/gerund, a 'that'-clause, or a 'to'-infinitive.

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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.