To gratify means to give someone pleasure or satisfaction, especially by fulfilling a wish or desire. When you gratify someone, you're making them happy by giving them what they want or need. A teacher might feel gratified when her students master a difficult concept she worked hard to explain. Parents feel gratified when they see their children show kindness to others.

The word often appears in phrases like instant gratification, which means wanting pleasure or rewards immediately without waiting or working for them. Someone seeking instant gratification might spend their allowance on candy right away instead of saving for something better. Delayed gratification means waiting patiently for rewards, which can help people achieve bigger goals. A student who studies steadily all semester instead of cramming at the last minute has practiced delayed gratification.

You might also hear someone describe an experience as gratifying, meaning it brought them deep satisfaction. Finishing a challenging book feels gratifying. Helping a friend solve a problem can be gratifying. The word suggests that special pleased feeling when effort pays off or when you've done something meaningful.