What does glorify mean?
Glorify is a verb meaning to praise, honor, exalt, or celebrate someone or something. It is commonly used for praising God or sacred figures, but it also applies to people, achievements, places, and traditions that a speaker considers admirable. In everyday use, the word often suggests more than neutral recognition: to glorify something is to present it in a strongly positive light, perhaps emphasizing its virtues while overlooking its faults. This connotation can make it useful in discussing religious devotion, national identity, public memory, and propaganda. The related adjective glorious describes something worthy of honor or magnificence, while glory itself can mean both great praise and the condition of being honored. Glorify is therefore more than a simple synonym for praise; it combines appreciation with a sense of making the subject appear noble, magnificent, or elevated.
verbTo praise, honor, or celebrate someone or something as worthy of greatness. It can also mean to make someone or something appear glorious or more impressive.
- To praise, honor, exalt, or celebrate someone or something as worthy of admiration.
- To make someone or something appear glorious, impressive, or more beautiful than it may actually be.
"The documentary sought to glorify the volunteers who had kept the community running during the crisis."
"The festival was created to glorify the region's traditional music and craftsmanship."
"The advertisement glorifies the idealized life of a successful entrepreneur while leaving out the compromises involved."
From praise of God to praise of heroes, glorify has always had the power to make someone or something seem larger than life.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does glorify come from?
Glorify comes from Middle English glorifien, derived from Latin glorificare, a form meaning to make glorious. The Latin verb was formed from gloria, meaning glory, together with elements related to facere, meaning to make. The English verb became especially prominent in religious writing, where it expressed the praising or honoring of God. Its secular use developed to mean celebrating people, deeds, or institutions emphatically or presenting them as worthy of admiration.
Related word forms
How glorify is actually used
Glorify often has an elevated or religious register. In secular contexts it can sound strongly laudatory or propagandistic, especially when someone or something is portrayed as faultless.
Easily confused with glorify
Glorify is a verb meaning to praise or honor, whereas glorious is an adjective meaning worthy of glory or admiration.