Ingratiate Meaning
/ɪnˈɡɹeɪ.ʃi.eɪt/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo bring oneself into favour with someone by flattering or trying to please them; to insinuate oneself; to worm one's way in.
verbTo recommend; to render easy or agreeable.
Sentence Examples
Go over there, meet my grandparents, and ingratiate yourself.
He was a sycophant, always trying to ingratiate himself with the wealthy.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The new employee tried to ____ himself with the boss by flattering her constantly.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The new employee tried to ____ himself with the boss by always bringing him fresh coffee.
Word Origin & History
First attested in 1622. From Italian ingraziare or Medieval Latin *ingratiatus, from Latin in grātiam (“for the favor of”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[H]e considered this offering an homage to his merits, and an attempt on the part of the heiress to ingratiate herself into his priceless affections."
— 1849, Currer Bell [pseudonym; Charlotte Brontë], “Mr. Donne’s Exodus”, in Shirley. A Tale. […], volume II, London: Smith, Elder and Co., […], →OCLC, page 108:
"[H]e would pat the children on the head when he saw them on the stairs, and ingratiate himself with them as far as he dared."
— 1903, Samuel Butler, chapter 58, in The Way of All Flesh:
"Her name was Michaela, but the men called her filthy things in dulcet, ingratiating voices, and she giggled with childish joy because she understood no English and thought they were flattering her and making harmless jokes."
— 1961 November 10, Joseph Heller, “The Eternal City”, in Catch-22 […], New York, N.Y.: Simon and Schuster, →OCLC, page 433:
"And it is symptomatic of the many paradoxes of Lederer's life that of all the people in the room, Brotherhood is the one whom he would most wish to serve, if ever he had the opportunity, even though — or perhaps because — his occasional efforts to ingratiate himself with his adopted hero have met with iron rebuff."
— 1986, John le Carré, A Perfect Spy:
"The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is trying to crawl out from under its rock and ingratiate itself as an "equal opportunity employer" and a friend of progressive movements."
— 1991 August 17, Roanne Hindin, “FBI: Not A Fashion Statement”, in Gay Community News, volume 19, number 5, page 4:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The new employee tried to ____ himself with the boss by flattering her constantly.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The new employee tried to ____ himself with the boss by always bringing him fresh coffee.