ingratiate
UK[ɪnˈɡreɪʃɪeɪt]US[ɪnˈɡreɪʃiˌeɪt]
v
To gain favor or approval for oneself by deliberate effort, often through flattery or pleasing behavior.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
grati
ate
in
in, into, on
grati
favor, grace, kindness, pleasantness
ate
Etymology
The word 'ingratiate' is a direct borrowing from the Italian ingratiare, which itself was formed from the Latin phrase in gratiam, meaning "into favor". The core Latin root is gratia, denoting favor, kindness, and pleasantness, which also gives us words like 'grace' and 'gratitude'. The literal sense of "putting oneself into favor" was preserved as the term entered English in the 17th century. The modern abstract meaning retains this core logic, describing the strategic act of inserting oneself into another's good graces through calculated, often servile, behavior.
Analysis
Structure: in + grati + ate
- in: Latin origin. A prefix meaning "in, into, on".
- grati: Latin origin. From gratia, meaning "favor, grace, kindness, pleasantness".
- ate: Latin origin. A verb-forming suffix.
Examples
He tried to ingratiate himself with the new manager by complimenting her work.
Her constant flattery was a transparent attempt to ingratiate herself into the social circle.
Politicians often ingratiate themselves with voters by making popular promises.