Meaning & use
dignifying
Last updated
“dignifying” is a form of “dignify”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivebefore a nounformal
Making someone or something seem worthy of respect or honor.
Grammar: Used before a noun: a dignifying moment.
Patterns
- a dignifying experience
- a dignifying moment
The ceremony was a dignifying experience for all involved.
She found the work dignifying and meaningful.
verbtransitive
Present participle of 'dignify': making something seem worthy or giving it a serious quality.
Grammar: Takes an object: dignifying the event.
Patterns
- dignifying something
- dignifying someone
He is dignifying the occasion with a formal speech.
They are dignifying the old tradition by continuing it.
Word forms
| third person singular | dignifies |
|---|---|
| past tense | dignified |
| past participle | dignified |
| present participle | dignifying |
Common combinations
- dignifying experience
- The graduation was a dignifying experience.
- dignifying moment
- It was a dignifying moment for the whole team.
- dignifying work
- She considers caregiving to be dignifying work.
Synonyms and how they differ
- ennobling
- Suggests making someone morally or spiritually noble; more literary than 'dignifying.'
- elevating
- Focuses on raising someone's spirits or status; less formal than 'dignifying.'
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: dignifying or dignitary?
dignifying vs dignitary
A dignitary is a person with a high rank or office, while 'dignifying' describes something that gives dignity.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'dignifying' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Dignifying' as an adjective correctly describes 'honor' in option 0. Options 1 and 3 use it as a verb but miss the auxiliary 'is' or 'were'; option 2 uses it after 'was' where a past participle ('dignified') is needed.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “dignifying”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.