gracious

/ˈɡreɪʃəs/
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Pleasantly kind, elegant, or merciful, with older uses for royalty and surprise.

Examples

  • The prisoner appealed to the Queen for a gracious pardon.
  • The anthem asks God to protect our gracious King.
  • The losing captain remained gracious in defeat.
  • The reception was held in a gracious country house.
  • She was gracious to every guest, even after a tiring day.

Similar words

loving
stately
luxurious
civil
forgiving
august
warm
my word
goodness
refined

Meanings

Kind and courteous

adjective
social
neutral
Pleasant, kind, and polite, especially when treating someone with calm respect or accepting disappointment well.

Examples

  • She was gracious to every guest, even after a tiring day.
  • The losing captain remained gracious in defeat.
  • Was he gracious enough to apologize?
  • A gracious note thanked the volunteers for their time.
  • They disagreed, but her reply was calm and gracious.

Similar words

Elegant and comfortable

adjective
lifestyle
formal
Marked by the beauty, comfort, space, and ease traditionally linked with wealth.

Examples

  • The reception was held in a gracious country house.
  • They remembered the hotel for its gracious rooms and gardens.
  • Few families could still afford such gracious living.
  • The old hall felt gracious without being showy.
  • Wide windows gave the apartment a gracious sense of space.

Similar words

Showing divine grace

adjective
religion
formal
Showing divine kindness, mercy, help, or forgiveness.

Examples

  • The congregation prayed to a loving and gracious God.
  • He trusted in God's gracious forgiveness.
  • The hymn praises the Lord as merciful and gracious.
  • They saw the rescue as a gracious gift.
  • Her faith rested on the belief that God is gracious to those who seek mercy.

Similar words

Royal and benevolent

adjective
royalty
archaic
Used in old or highly formal language to respectfully describe a monarch or a royal act.

Examples

  • The anthem asks God to protect our gracious King.
  • The prisoner appealed to the Queen for a gracious pardon.
  • His Most Gracious Majesty received the envoys.
  • The decree thanked the sovereign for her gracious favor.
  • Courtiers praised their gracious lord in formal addresses.

Similar words

Expressing surprise

interjection
communication
archaic
An old-fashioned expression of surprise, alarm, or strong emphasis.

Examples

  • Gracious, I did not expect the bill to be so high!
  • Good gracious, that branch nearly hit us!
  • Gracious me, how quickly the children have grown!
  • Gracious, what a noise that machine makes!
  • Good gracious, have we really been talking for three hours?

Similar words

Etymology

From Old French gracios, meaning courteous, pleasing, kind, or friendly, and ultimately from Latin gratia, meaning favor or grace. Its earliest English uses referred to divine grace. The surprised exclamation is a shortened form of gracious God.

FAQ

What does gracious mean?

Gracious most often means pleasantly kind, calm, and polite.

How do you pronounce gracious?

In General American English, gracious is pronounced /ˈɡreɪʃəs/.

What does gracious in defeat mean?

It means accepting a loss politely and without bitterness.

Can gracious describe a home?

Yes. A gracious home is spacious, comfortable, and elegantly attractive.

What does gracious mean in religion?

It describes divine kindness, mercy, help, or forgiveness.

Is good gracious old-fashioned?

Yes. Good gracious and gracious me are old-fashioned expressions of surprise.

Where does gracious come from?

It came through Old French from Latin gratia, meaning favor or grace.

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