Words / B2

DIGN-if-eye/ˈdɪɡnɪfaɪ/

To dignify is to make something seem more worthy or important than it is, or to give it dignity: dignify something with a reply; dignify a claim. Honour is a close twin when you treat a person with respect; elevate is related. Do not dignify a slogan with the word policy. Mix-up: dignify vs dignity (the noun, already in a higher list); signify; do not write dignify for ordinary politeness with no extra status claimed in the source.

Meaning

To make something seem more worthy or important than it is (dignify with).

Examples

• “Do not dignify a slogan with the word policy; name the Act if the source gives it.”
• “The chair refused to dignify the heckle with a reply, which is the withhold-status sense — still quote the heckle.”

Good to know

dignify something with; refuse to dignify. Noun: dignity. Close: honour / elevate. Trap: signify / mere politeness. Citizenship, RS, and English. Treat as more worthy than it is — name what is being over-ranked.

Near in meaning

honour, elevate, lend weight to

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