Dignity
/ˈdɪɡnɪti/
nounB2
Definition
Dignity means having a sense of self-respect and honor. It is about feeling and acting in a way that shows you value yourself and deserve respect from others. People with dignity behave calmly and confidently, even in difficult situations.
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⚡ See It in Action
The quality of being worthy of respect
- •Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity.
- •She maintained her dignity even after losing the competition.
- •The workers demanded dignity and fair treatment at their jobs.
Calm and serious behavior that shows self-respect
- •He accepted the criticism with dignity.
- •She walked out of the room with quiet dignity.
- •Even in hard times, they showed dignity and strength.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "dignity" like "pride," but pride can be loud or showy, while dignity is quiet and calm respect for yourself.
- ✓Picture a person standing tall with a calm face, not angry or scared, but steady and sure.
- ✓It's the feeling you have when you do the right thing, even if others do not notice or praise you.
- ✓Sounds like "DIG-nity" → imagine digging deep inside yourself to find your inner strength and respect.
- ✓Remember characters like a king or queen in stories who act with dignity, no matter what happens.
- ✓NOT like "arrogance" (thinking you are better than others), dignity is about respect without being proud or rude.
- ✓NOT like "shame" (feeling bad about yourself), dignity is feeling good about who you are.
- ✓NOT like "confidence" (believing you can do something), dignity is about respect and honor, not just ability.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Honor: high respect and good reputation (Use when emphasizing moral or social value)
- •Self-respect: feeling good about yourself (Use when focusing on inner feelings)
- •Pride: feeling pleased about yourself (Use when the feeling is stronger and more visible)
- •Nobility: having high moral qualities (Use in formal or literary contexts)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: Root "dign-" means worth or value; suffix "-ity" means a state or quality
- •Etymology: From Latin "dignitas," meaning worthiness or merit
- •Historical development: Used since the 14th century to describe a person's worth and honorable behavior
- •Modern usage: Used to talk about respect, honor, and calm, serious behavior in social and personal contexts
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How can showing dignity help someone in difficult or unfair situations?
•Can dignity be lost or taken away by others, or is it something only you can keep?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.People want to be treated with dignity because it shows they ___ respect and value.
2.She kept her dignity even when others tried to ___ her.
3.Dignity is different from pride because it is more ___ and quiet.
4.When someone acts with dignity, they usually respond to problems with ___ and calm.
5.The workers asked for dignity ___ better working conditions.
6.He walked away with dignity, not showing ___ or anger.
7.You can keep your dignity even if others ___ you unfairly.