Entry Word: gracious

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 showing a natural kindness and courtesy especially in social situations <a gracious teacher who made the new student feel welcome>

Synonyms affable, cordial, genial, hospitable, sociable

Related Words agreeable, amiable, benignant, congenial, convivial, friendly, kind, kindly, neighborly; accommodating, obliging; considerate, courteous, polite, thoughtful; sophisticated, urbane; approachable, attentive, outgoing

Near Antonyms boorish, churlish; abrupt, blunt, brusque, curt, gruff, sharp, snippy; antisocial, disagreeable, discourteous, ill-mannered, impolite, rude, sullen, surly, uncivil, unfriendly, unkind, unmannerly; crabbed, crabby, cross, crusty, grumpy

Antonyms inhospitable, ungracious, unsociable

2 having an easygoing and pleasing manner especially in social situations <a gracious innkeeper whose jokes and laughter made weary travelers feel right at home> — see amiable
3 showing consideration, courtesy, and good manners <he was a gracious man, habitually offering his seat on the bus to elderly women> — see polite 1