Gratification
/ˌɡrætɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
Definitions
The pleasure, satisfaction, or sense of fulfillment derived from the achievement of a desire or the fulfillment of a need.
/ˌɡrætɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
The feeling of pleasure when you get something you want.
The children experienced a sense of gratification after completing the art project.
💡 Simply: Imagine you really, really want a candy bar, and then you finally get to eat it! Gratification is that happy feeling you get when you get something you really want, like when your parents finally say yes to getting a puppy!
👶 For kids: It means feeling happy and pleased when you get something you want!
More Examples
The politician sought gratification by winning the election.
Her immediate gratification from eating the cake was short-lived as she later felt sick.
How It's Used
"Delayed gratification is an important skill for children to develop."
"He found instant gratification in buying a new video game."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
instant gratification
Immediate pleasure or satisfaction, often without considering the long-term consequences.
"Many consumers seek instant gratification through online shopping."
delayed gratification
The ability to postpone immediate rewards for the sake of long-term benefits.
"Learning to practice delayed gratification is an important life skill."
From Latin *gratificatio* ("a rewarding, pleasing, or showing of favour"), from *gratus* ("pleasing, agreeable") and *facere* ("to make, do").
The word's use has remained consistent over time, largely referring to the satisfaction of desires or needs. It gained prominence in the fields of psychology and consumer behavior in the 20th century.
Memory tip
Think of a *gracious* gift that makes you *satisfied*. Gratification brings that feeling!
Word Origin
"pleasing, agreeable"