Meaning & use
delayed gratification
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountable
The act of resisting an immediate reward in order to gain a better one later.
Grammar: Uncountable; used with 'the' or without an article: 'Delayed gratification is hard.'
Patterns
- delayed gratification of something
Studying instead of going to the party is an example of delayed gratification.
Children who learn delayed gratification often do better in school.
The ability to practice delayed gratification can lead to long-term success.
noununcountabletechnical
The psychological concept or ability to postpone immediate satisfaction for a future benefit.
Grammar: Often used in academic or psychological contexts, sometimes with 'the'.
Patterns
- the concept of delayed gratification
- delay gratification
The famous marshmallow test measured delayed gratification in young children.
Psychologists study delayed gratification to understand self-control.
Her research focuses on delayed gratification and decision-making.
Common combinations
- practice delayed gratification
- He practices delayed gratification by saving money instead of buying new gadgets.
- learn delayed gratification
- Children can learn delayed gratification through games that require waiting.
- the ability to delay gratification
- The ability to delay gratification is linked to success in life.
- instant gratification
- Our culture often values instant gratification over delayed gratification.
Synonyms and how they differ
- self-control
- Self-control is a broader term for managing impulses, while delayed gratification specifically involves waiting for a better reward.
- patience
- Patience is the capacity to wait calmly; delayed gratification is the deliberate choice to wait for a superior outcome.
- forbearance
- Forbearance is a formal word for self-restraint, often in difficult situations; delayed gratification is more about rewards.
Opposites
Word family
- delay verb
- To postpone or make something happen later.
- gratify verb
- To satisfy a desire or pleasure.
- gratification noun
- The state of being satisfied or pleased.
Commonly confused: delayed gratification or instant gratification?
delayed gratification vs instant gratification
Instant gratification is the opposite: getting a reward immediately. Delayed gratification means waiting for a better reward.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'delayed gratification' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The correct answer is B because it shows resisting an immediate purchase to achieve a larger goal. An is wrong because buying immediately is instant gratification, not delayed. C is wrong because 'delayed gratification' is not a quality of a movie. D is wrong because 'delayed gratification' is not a verb that takes an object like 'the meeting'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “delayed gratification”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.