What does dignitary mean?
Word: Dignitary
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Dignitary means a person of high rank or public importance, such as a governor or a minister.
How do you spell dignitary?
Syllables: dig - ni - ta - ry
Tricky part: The ending is the weak spot. It is said quickly and softly, so pupils guess ery, yet this noun closes with ary.
Watch out for: dignitery, dignitory
Memory tip: A dignitary often has a secretary close by: give the two of them matching endings.
Dignitary in a sentence
Example 1: Every visiting dignitary signs the guest book in the school lobby.
Example 2: The band practised for weeks to welcome the foreign dignitaries.
Example 3: Several dignitaries sat in the front row at the Republic Day parade.
Fun Fact
It goes back to a Latin word for worthy, and it is a close relation of the noun English uses for calm self-respect.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct letters to form a word:
d_gn_tary
a) i, a
b) e, i
c) e, a
d) i, i
Show answer
d) i, i. Both gaps hold the same short vowel.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
dignnitary
a) g
b) r
c) t
d) n
Show answer
d) n. Only one n is ever written after the g.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
A ygintdiar from Delhi will open the new science block on Friday.
a) signatory
b) dormitory
c) dictionary
d) dignitary
Show answer
d) dignitary. With no o in the jumble, three options fall away.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word:
1. delligate 2. ambasador 3. dignitary 4. ceremoney
a) a formal public event held on an occasion
b) someone whose high office earns public respect
c) a senior person sent to represent a country
d) a person chosen to speak for a group
Show answer
b) someone whose high office earns public respect. Ambassador needs two s's, delegate has one l, and ceremony has no e after the n.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Why might traffic be stopped on the road to the airport when a dignitary arrives?
a) so the road can be repaired that day
b) so the official cars can pass safely
c) so the street can be swept clean
d) so buses can change their routes
Show answer
b) so the official cars can pass safely
2. Which of these people is most likely to be called a dignitary?
a) a visiting head of state
b) a local shop assistant
c) a first-year college student
d) a new bus conductor
Show answer
a) a visiting head of state
