gratification

/græɾɪfɪˈkeɪʃɪn/

/grætɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

Other forms: gratifications

Pleasure is gratification, whether it’s given or received. Everyone has desires, and when those desires get fulfilled, that’s gratification.

You’re reading this sentence to understand the word gratification, and soon you’ll know it back and forth, which will give you a feeling of gratification. The word comes from the Latin gratificari, meaning “give or do as a favor,” and a deeper root is gratus, which means “pleasing, thankful.” Doing a favor for someone is a surefire ways to create a sense of gratification, both for them and for yourself, being such a kind, giving person.

Definitions of gratification

1. noun

   the act or an instance of satisfying
   types:

   satiation

   the act of achieving full gratification

   head trip, self-gratification

   the act of satisfying your own desires and giving yourself pleasure

   humoring, indulgence, indulging, pampering

   the act of indulging or gratifying a desire

   pleasing

   the act of one who pleases

   decadence, intemperance, intemperateness, self-indulgence

   excess in action and immoderate indulgence of bodily appetites, especially in passion or indulgence

   excess, overindulgence

   excessive indulgence

   binge, orgy, splurge

   any act of immoderate indulgence

   type of:

   satisfaction

   act of fulfilling a desire or need or appetite
2. noun

   state of being gratified or satisfied
   “dull repetitious work gives no gratification”

   “to my immense gratification he arrived on time”

   synonyms: satisfaction

   types:

   quality of life

   your personal satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) with the cultural or intellectual conditions under which you live (as distinct from material comfort)

   comfort

   satisfaction or physical well-being provided by a person or thing

   type of:

   emotional state, spirit

   the state of a person's emotions (especially with regard to pleasure or dejection)