graceful

adjective

grace·​ful ˈgrās-fəl How to pronounce graceful (audio)
Synonyms of gracefulnext
1
: displaying grace (see grace entry 1 sense 1) in form or action : pleasing or attractive in line, proportion, or movement
a graceful dancer
the graceful neck of a swan
2
: exhibiting control, good manners, or kindness
As his empire crumbled amid the … scandal, he defiantly refused a graceful exit.Jonathan Alter et al.
gracefully adverb
gracefulness noun

Examples of graceful in a Sentence

He has become a very graceful dancer. the graceful movements of a ballerina She was a graceful young woman with delicate features. the long, graceful neck of a swan His writing is clear and graceful. There was no graceful way to say no to their offer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Then the graceful roll of the ball with his studs smoothly took him past another two to shoot at goal. Art De Roché, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026 This graceful tree looks its best if allowed to grow into a natural shape that shows off its delicate form and beautiful bark. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026 In an improbable feat of dexterity, the American fingerstyle guitarist interprets the work of the UK electronic savants, finding graceful new forms in their brain-bending tangles. Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 6 Mar. 2026 Some gardeners cut graceful curves around trees and along edges of walkways and garden bed borders. Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for graceful

Word History

Etymology

see grace entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of graceful was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Graceful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/graceful. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

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