WordGarden.iosanctify
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈɑːnktɪfˌaɪ/
US
- /ˈsæŋktəfaɪ/
Meanings
Verb
to make holy or set apart as sacred
to make something seem justified, inviolable, or worthy of special approval
Beyond the definition
To sanctify something is to make it holy, set apart for a sacred purpose, or bless it. Think of a church being sanctified in a special ceremony: it is being treated as a holy place. People also speak of sanctifying their lives by living in a way that matches their faith or moral beliefs. At its core, the word is about setting something above the ordinary in a serious, reverent way.
The word comes from Latin roots meaning "to make holy." It has long been used mainly in religious contexts, such as priests sanctifying bread and wine during communion. It can also appear in a broader sense when someone treats a moment, place, or practice with deep respect, almost as if it were sacred.
Imagine an ancient temple, carefully constructed and dedicated to the gods. The rituals performed within its walls weren't just actions; they were attempts to sanctify the space—to make it holy, set apart from the mundane world, and worthy of divine presence. That's at the heart of what "sanctify" means: to consecrate, dedicate, or bless something for a sacred purpose.
Traditionally, sanctification is deeply rooted in religious practice. A priest might sanctify an altar, a bishop might sanctify a new church building, and believers often strive to sanctify their lives through prayer, worship, and righteous living—striving for moral purity and closeness with the divine.
However, the meaning has broadened over time. While it is still strongly associated with religion, "sanctify" can also be used in a figurative sense. You might say someone sanctifies a memory by holding it with deep reverence, or sanctifies a daily practice by treating it as deeply meaningful. In these cases, the word suggests lifting something above the ordinary.
It's important to remember that sanctification isn't just about making something appear holy; it implies a genuine transformation—a dedication to a higher purpose or a commitment to purity and goodness. So, whether you're talking about religious rituals or personal values, to sanctify is to make something sacred, special, and set apart.
Examples
- 1
Religious ceremony
Before the festival, the temple was sanctified in a special ceremony.
- 2
Religious belief
Many believers see marriage as a bond sanctified by God.
- 3
Moral justification
A good cause does not sanctify cruel methods.
- 4
Public speech
Critics said the speech sanctified violence instead of condemning it.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- sanctify a place
- sanctify the Sabbath
- sanctified by prayer
Word family
Explore
- holiness
- ritual purity
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- sanctifyverb
Forms
- sanctifiedpast tenseverb
- sanctifying-ing formverb
- sanctifiesverb