graceful

adjective

grace·​ful ˈgrās-fəl How to pronounce graceful (audio)
: displaying grace (see grace entry 1 sense 3) in form or action : pleasing or attractive in line, proportion, or movement
a graceful dancer
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.
The maxi gown featured a relaxed turtleneck, a bold red lily print and graceful draping down the length of her body. Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 21 July 2025 With sculpted foliage and large, graceful blooms, Japanese anemones make a lovely tall groundcover or masing in mixed borders. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 18 July 2025 Best seen one hour before sunrise in the eastern sky, from Sunday to Wednesday, Aug. 17-20, Saturn, Jupiter, Venus and Mercury will form a graceful arc in the pre-dawn sky across four consecutive mornings, with a waning crescent moon moving past them, getting slimmer each morning. Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025 Thanks to their graceful shape, smooth finish, and jeweled touchpads, this pair will complement your outfit, not detract from it. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for graceful

Word History

Etymology

see grace entry 1

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of graceful was in 1557

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Graceful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/graceful. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on graceful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!