Dignified

How to spell dignified

9 letters · 3 syllables

How to pronounce dignified

Say the part in capitals loudest.

What does dignified mean?

1. adjectiveHaving or showing a composed, serious manner that commands respect.

Dignified in a sentence

• The retiring judge gave a calm and dignified farewell speech.

• She remained dignified throughout the difficult interview.

Where does dignified come from?

Language of origin: Latin

This word traces back to the Latin adjective dignus, which meant 'worthy' or 'fitting'. From dignus came the Late Latin verb dignificare, 'to make worthy', combining dignus with facere 'to make or do'. That verb passed into Old French as dignefier and entered English in the late 1300s as the verb 'dignify', meaning to confer honour or worth on someone or something. The form 'dignified' is the participial adjective, describing a person or manner marked by calm, serious worth. The very same dignus root sits inside the everyday words 'dignity' and 'deign', and noticing that shared 'dign' stem is the easiest way to remember the silent-feeling 'g' that some writers leave out.

How the word is built

• dign- (from Latin dignus: worthy)
• -ify (to make)
• -ed (past participle/adjective suffix)