dignity

dignity — noun

1. A calm and controlled way of acting that shows seriousness and earns respect fro

1.nounB2
Definition

A calm and controlled way of acting that shows seriousness and earns respect from others.

Example

Apinya faced the angry crowd with quiet dignity and refused to shout back.

collocation: with + adjective + dignity

The funeral was conducted with great dignity and respect for the family.

Common collocations
  • with dignity
  • quiet dignity
  • calm dignity
  • great dignity
  • carry yourself with dignity
  • maintain your dignity
Synonyms
  • composure

    focuses on emotional control rather than earning respect

  • poise

    emphasises graceful, self-assured behaviour, often in social settings

  • decorum

    more formal; stresses proper, polite behaviour according to social rules

Antonyms
  • indignity

    treatment that makes someone feel embarrassed or not respected

Grammar Patterns

with + possessive + dignity

Usage Note

Often used with prepositions like 'with' to describe how someone behaves in a difficult situation. The adjective 'quiet', 'calm', or 'great' commonly modifies this sense.

Common Mistakes

He showed great pride when accepting the criticism.
He showed great dignity when accepting the criticism.
'pride' suggests a feeling of satisfaction, while 'dignity' refers to calm, serious composure in a difficult moment.

2. The feeling of your own worth as a person, which gives you the right to be treat

2.nounB2
Definition

The feeling of your own worth as a person, which gives you the right to be treated fairly and with respect.

Example

Ayana felt her dignity was damaged when her colleagues laughed at her presentation.

possessive + dignity + passive verb

Every person has a basic human dignity that must be protected by law.

collocation: human dignity

Common collocations
  • human dignity
  • personal dignity
  • hurt someone's dignity
  • damage someone's dignity
  • restore dignity
  • respect someone's dignity
Synonyms
  • self-respect

    focuses on how you regard and care for yourself; slightly more active than dignity

  • self-worth

    more about internal value; dignity includes the social aspect of being respected by others

  • honour

    can overlap, but often tied to reputation and social standing rather than inherent worth

Antonyms
  • shame

    a painful feeling of having lost worth or respect in the eyes of others or oneself

Grammar Patterns

possessive + dignity

human dignity

Usage Note

Frequently appears in discussions of human rights, healthcare, and social justice. Can be modified by possessive adjectives (my, his, her, their) to indicate an individual's sense of worth.

Common Mistakes

He lost his self-respect when nobody trusted him.' (when dignity is meant)
He lost his dignity when nobody trusted him.
'self-respect' is about how you treat yourself; 'dignity' is about the worth you feel you have as a person.

3. A high or important position within a formal system such as a government, church

3.nounC1
Definition

A high or important position within a formal system such as a government, church, or court, along with the respect that comes with it.

Example

The position of a Supreme Court judge carries great dignity in our legal system.

collocation: carries + great + dignity

Christopher rose to the dignity of a senior minister after thirty years of service.

Synonyms
  • rank

    more general; can refer to any level of a hierarchy, not just high ones

  • status

    broader, can refer to social standing outside formal systems

  • prestige

    focuses on the admiration and respect that a position brings

Grammar Patterns

the dignity of + position

rise to the dignity of

Usage Note

Common in formal or historical contexts describing titles, offices, and ranks. Unlike senses 1 and 2, this sense does not take possessive adjectives to describe personal composure or worth.

Common Mistakes

She reached the dignity of a senior doctor.' (when meaning rank)
She reached the position of a senior doctor.
'dignity' used for rank is formal and uncommon in everyday career contexts; 'position' or 'rank' is more natural.
Idioms

beneath your dignity

idiom

Considered too unimportant, low, or shameful for someone of your position or self-respect to do.

Takeshi thought that washing the dishes was beneath his dignity and refused to help.

Adina felt it was beneath her dignity to argue with someone who would not listen to reason.

stand on your dignity

idiom

To insist on being treated with the full respect that you believe your position or worth deserves, often in a way that seems strict or proud.

The old professor stood on his dignity and refused to speak to anyone below his rank.

Élise stood on her dignity and demanded a formal apology from the committee.

Word family

  • dignified
    adjectiveB2
  • dignify
    verbC1
  • dignitary
    nounC1
  • indignity
    nounC1
  • indignant
    adjectiveB2
  • indignation
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

While all four words relate to a person's sense of value, 'dignity' emphasises the inherent worth that demands respectful treatment from others. 'Self-respect' is more active — it describes how you treat yourself and the standards you maintain. 'Pride' can be positive (healthy satisfaction in achievement) or negative (arrogance), whereas 'dignity' stays neutral and calm. 'Honour' overlaps with dignity but is more tied to reputation, social standing, and keeping one's word. 'Self-worth' is the most internal concept, focusing on personal value independent of how others behave. For example, you can lose your honour by breaking a promise but still keep your dignity by accepting the consequences calmly; you can have low self-worth but still behave with dignity in public.

self-respect ↗pride ↗honourself-worth

Common collocations

Nouns

  • human dignity
  • personal dignity
  • quiet dignity

Adverbs

  • with great dignity
  • with quiet dignity
  • with calm dignity

Phrases

  • carry yourself with dignity
  • maintain your dignity
  • stand on your dignity
  • hurt someone's dignity
  • restore someone's dignity

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'dignity' entered English through Old French 'digneté', which came from Latin 'dignitas' meaning 'worthiness, merit, or prestige'. The Latin root 'dignus' means 'worthy'. The word has carried the sense of 'worthiness' and 'honourable position' since its earliest English uses in the 13th century, with the meanings gradually expanding to include personal composure and human rights in modern usage.