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Meaning & use

gracious

adjective·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˈɡreɪ.ʃəs/
US/ˈɡreɪ.ʃəs/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparableapproving

    Kind, courteous, and pleasant, especially toward someone with less power or after being annoyed or defeated.

    Grammar: Before nouns and after linking verbs; often with in defeat or about criticism: gracious in defeat.

    Patterns

    • gracious host
    • gracious in defeat
    • gracious about criticism

    Even after losing, she gave a gracious speech thanking the volunteers.

    The nurse was gracious with frightened first-time patients.

  2. adjectivecomparableformalliterary

    Showing comfort, elegance, and generous space or style, especially in older houses or polite society.

    Grammar: Often before a noun in formal descriptions: a gracious home, gracious living.

    Patterns

    • gracious home
    • gracious living
    • gracious manners

    The old hotel had gracious rooms with tall windows.

    Their gracious living surprised guests who expected something showier.

Common combinations

gracious host
A gracious host notices who has not eaten.
gracious reply
She sent a gracious reply despite the rude email.
gracious in defeat
He was gracious in defeat and praised the winner.
gracious living
The novel mocks gracious living built on debt.
gracious smile
The teacher’s gracious smile calmed the new student.

Synonyms and how they differ

courteous
Courteous stresses polite manners; gracious adds warmth and generosity, especially under pressure.
kind
Kind is broader everyday goodwill; gracious suggests polished kindness with good manners.
magnanimous
Magnanimous is generous toward a rival or loser, narrower and more formal than gracious.
civil
Civil means merely polite enough; gracious is warmer and more generous.

Opposites

rudeungraciouschurlish

Word family

graciously adverb
In a kind, polite, and generous way.
graciousness noun
The quality of being gracious.
ungracious adjective
Not kind or polite in manner.
grace noun
Polite kindness, smooth beauty, or favor; also a prayer before food.

Commonly confused: gracious or graceful?

gracious vs graceful

Graceful describes elegant movement or shape; gracious describes kind manners or generous elegance.

Practice

Even after losing, she gave a ___ speech thanking the judges and volunteers.

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