dignity
DIHG-nih-tee
Dignity (noun) means the quality of being worthy of respect; a calm, composed sense of self-worth. Example: “He left the room with great dignity, even though everyone was staring.”
noun
1
The quality of being worthy of respect; a calm, composed sense of self-worth.
"He left the room with great dignity, even though everyone was staring."
"She handled the insult with quiet dignity."
"Every patient deserves to be treated with dignity."
2
A position of high rank or honor.
"The dignity of knighthood was conferred on the famous doctor for her service."
"In the old kingdom, the dignity of duke passed from father to eldest son."
"He was elevated to the dignity of ambassador."
How to use dignity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSelf-respect and worth, or (less commonly) a position of honor.
Common pairings
with dignity
human dignity
dignity and respect
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like dignity.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- dignities
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He left the room with great _____, even though everyone was staring.
Etymology
From Old French dignité, from Latin dignitas, "worthiness," from dignus, "worthy."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dignity
See all rhymes for dignity →Frequently asked questions
What does “dignity” mean?
The word “dignity” means the quality of being worthy of respect; a calm, composed sense of self-worth. In plain terms, self-respect and worth, or (less commonly) a position of honor.
How do you pronounce “dignity”?
“Dignity” is pronounced DIHG-nih-tee (/ˈdɪɡnɪti/ in IPA).
How do you use “dignity” in a sentence?
Here is “dignity” used in a sentence: “She handled the insult with quiet dignity.”
What is another word for “dignity”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dignity” include worth and worthiness.
What part of speech is “dignity”?
“Dignity” is a noun.
Where does the word “dignity” come from?
The word “dignity” comes from Latin. From Old French dignité, from Latin dignitas, "worthiness," from dignus, "worthy.".
Is “dignity” a common word?
“Dignity” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “dignity” have?
“Dignity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the quality of being worthy of respect; a calm, composed sense of self-worth.
What is the difference between dignity and respect?
Dignity is the quality of being worthy of respect — a calm, composed sense of self-worth that a person carries. Respect is the regard that others show toward that worth. In other words, dignity belongs to the person, while respect is given by others.
What is the difference between dignity and pride?
Dignity is a calm, composed sense of self-worth that commands respect from others. Pride is satisfaction in one's own achievements or qualities, and in excess it can shade into arrogance. A person can lose their pride and still keep their dignity, because dignity rests on inner worth rather than on accomplishment.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include dignity:
