THE WORDCRAFT DEFINITION DICTIONARY

delayed gratification

noun phrase

Postponing an immediate pleasure or reward in order to obtain a more valued benefit later.

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A USEFUL DISTINCTION

Usage note

This entry names postponing an immediate reward. It does not claim that any particular delay reliably predicts future success.

SEE IT IN USE

Examples in context

Saving for a useful reference book instead of making an impulsive purchase was an exercise in delayed gratification.
Dictionary practice example.
Nina practiced delayed gratification by postponing an afternoon game so she could finish the costume she wanted for a later celebration.
From What a Later Reward Is Worth.

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Related meanings

Related words can differ in tone and context; they are not always interchangeable.

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What a Later Reward Is WorthReading 1 / Open lesson

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About this entry

This entry is part of the vocabulary collection supplied by GlobalRPh. Definitions are concise study meanings. Examples combine original teaching sentences with selected passages adapted from the supplied study notes; their source is labeled beside each example. A word may have additional specialized or historical senses.

Adapted from supplied vocabulary notes. Example written for WordCraft.

Source study sections: 21.

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