grace

noun \ ˈgrās \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of grace

1 a : unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification

b : a virtue coming from God

c : a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine assistance

2 a : approval, favor

stayed in his good graces

b archaic : mercy, pardon

c : a special favor : privilege

each in his place, by right, not grace, shall rule his heritage
—Rudyard Kipling

d : disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency

e : a temporary exemption : reprieve

3 a : a charming or attractive trait or characteristic

Among disagreeable qualities he possessed the saving grace of humor.

b : a pleasing appearance or effect : charm

all the grace of youth
—John Buchan

c : ease and suppleness (see ¹supple 2b) of movement or bearing

danced with such grace

4 —used as a title of address or reference for a duke, a duchess, or an archbishop

5 : a short prayer at a meal asking a blessing or giving thanks

6 Graces plural : three sister goddesses in Greek mythology who are the givers of charm and beauty

7 : a musical trill, turn, or appoggiatura

8 a : sense of propriety or right

had the grace not to run for elective office
—Calvin Trillin

b : the quality or state of being considerate or thoughtful

accepted his advice with grace

See grace defined for English-language learners

See grace defined for kids

Examples of grace in a Sentence

She walked across the stage with effortless grace.
She handles her problems with grace and dignity.
He has shown remarkable grace during this crisis.
She is quite lovable despite her lack of social graces.
Let us give thanks for God's grace.
By the grace of God, no one was seriously hurt.
She tried to live her life in God's grace.

Recent Examples of grace from the Web

The entire movie hinges on their tense relationship, and Andy spends the better part of two hours trying to get into Miranda's good graces, which finally happens right before the closing credits.

— zoe weiner, Glamour, "This 'Devil Wears Prada' Deleted Scene Tells a Completely Different Story," 30 Aug. 2017
Rather, I was suspended in a state of grace, and my heart almost exploded at the joy.

— maria finn, Longreads, "Can Love Sparked at Burning Man Last in Everyday Life?," 28 Aug. 2017
Dance is also an important part of the conservatory’s mission, and the spring dance program April 26-28 at White Recital Hall will celebrate the athleticism and grace of the school’s dancers.

— patrick neas, kansascity, "UMKC Conservatory’s ‘Hansel and Gretel’ will be ‘real feast for eyes and ears’," 25 Aug. 2017
Elba is the biggest saving grace in a wasteland of woes.

— rick bentley, idahostatesman, "‘The Dark Tower’ pale version of King’s story," 3 Aug. 2017
Carefully observing the modest and grace-filled mother of Jesus, the masterpiece of God’s love, Mary Magdalene would have learned what true feminine beauty looks like.

— nr interview, National Review, "Finding Peace with Mary Magdalene," 22 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'grace.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of grace

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin gratia favor, charm, thanks, from gratus pleasing, grateful; akin to Sanskrit gṛṇāti he praises

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 12th century

See Words from the same year

grace Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of grace

mercy, charity, clemency, grace, leniency mean a disposition to show kindness or compassion. mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it.

- threw himself on the mercy of the court

charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others.

- show a little charity for the less fortunate

clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing.

- the judge refused to show clemency

grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions.

- by the grace of God

leniency implies lack of severity in punishing.

- criticized the courts for excessive leniency

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

grace

verb

Definition of grace

graced; gracing

transitive verb

1 : to confer dignity or honor on

The king graced him with the rank of a knight.

2 : adorn, embellish

graveled walks graced with statues
—J. A. Michener

See grace defined for English-language learners

Examples of grace in a Sentence

Several marble statues grace the courtyard.
I hope that you will grace our gathering with your presence.

Recent Examples of grace from the Web

In 1899, the leader of the Hunkpapa Tribe, Chief Running Antelope, graced the face of a $5 silver note..

— marlena scott, Teen Vogue, "The Complete History of Money in America, From Pelts to Pennies," 13 Apr. 2018
Heading the production team will be Chicago director Amy Hutchison, whose work has graced the stages of Chicago Fringe Opera and South Shore Opera Company.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "How a double bill of Donizetti rarities wound up at Chicago Opera Theater," 10 Apr. 2018
This morning, Candice Swanepoel graced Instagram with a powerful self-facing pregnancy snap.

— calin van paris, Vogue, "Candice Swanepoel's Nude Pregnancy Snap is Body Confidence at Its Best," 10 Apr. 2018
So far in April, 1.1 inches of snow graced the streets of the Queen City.

— sarah brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "How often does Cincinnati get snow in spring? When is it going to end?," 9 Apr. 2018
Luckily for G-Eazy, gracing the cover of the hip-hop magazine’s latest issue was apparently enough to get him through, even though the issue only listed his stage name.

— janine puhak, Fox News, "Rapper G-Eazy uses magazine cover to get through airport security," 4 Apr. 2018
Several portraits in keeping with John Singer Sargent graced the exhibition.

— dennis hohenberger, Courant Community, "Seniors Have Artwork Displayed," 3 Apr. 2018
Original ChopShop Made-to-order açai bowls, protein bowls, salads, sandwiches and smoothies grace the menu at this fast-casual spot.

— jennifer mcclellan, azcentral, "New restaurants in Phoenix in March: 37 openings in a month may set a record," 2 Apr. 2018
But here’s what matters: Five years ago, before acne-positive selfies had their boom and celebrities graced the covers of magazines and campaigns proudly showing their unretouched skin, applauding gray roots wasn’t expected.

— lauren levinson, Glamour, "Seeing Women in Their 30s With Gray Roots Inspired Me to Leave Mine Alone," 2 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of grace

see ¹grace

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1585

See Words from the same year

grace Synonyms

Synonyms

adorn, array, beautify, bedeck, bedizen, blazon, caparison, deck, decorate, do, do up, doll up, drape, dress, embellish, emblaze, emboss, enrich, fancify, fancy up, festoon, garnish, glitz (up), gussy up, ornament, pretty (up), trim;

Antonyms

blemish, deface, disfigure, mar, scar, spoil;

Near Antonyms

simplify, streamline;

bare, denude, dismantle, display, divest, expose, reveal, strip, uncover;

uglify;

brighten, freshen, smarten, spruce (up);

boss, chase;

braid, embroider, feather, figure, filigree, fillet, flounce, frill, fringe, furbelow, garland, hang, lace, ribbon, swag, wreathe;

appliqué, gild, paint;

GRACE Defined for English Language Learners

grace

noun

Definition of grace for English Language Learners

: a way of moving that is smooth and attractive and that is not stiff or awkward
: a controlled, polite, and pleasant way of behaving
graces : skills that are needed for behaving in a polite way in social situations

grace

verb

Definition of grace for English Language Learners

: to decorate or add beauty to (something)

GRACE Defined for Kids

grace

noun \ ˈgrās \

Definition of grace for Students

1 : a short prayer at a meal

2 : beauty and ease of movement

3 : pleasant, controlled, and polite behavior

social graces

She handled the situation with grace.

4 : goodwill, favor

They were saved by the grace of God.

5 : the condition of being in favor

He tried to get in their good graces.

grace

verb

Definition of grace for Students

graced; gracing

1 : to do credit to : honor

Will you grace us with your presence?

2 : to make more attractive : adorn

A fountain graces the garden.

Law Dictionary

grace

noun

legal Definition of grace

1 : a special favor : privilege

considered by many authorities to be a matter of grace and not of right
—The Mentally Disabled and the Law

2 a : a temporary exemption

b : the prerogative of mercy exercised (as by a chief executive) or granted in the form of equitable relief

Learn More about grace

See words that rhyme with grace Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for grace Spanish Central: Translation of grace Nglish: Translation of grace for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of grace for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about grace

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grace

Definition of grace

Examples of grace in a Sentence

Recent Examples of grace from the Web

Origin and Etymology of grace

grace Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of grace

Other Christian Religious Terms

grace

Definition of grace

Examples of grace in a Sentence

Recent Examples of grace from the Web

Origin and Etymology of grace

grace Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to GRACE

Related Phrases

GRACE Defined for English Language Learners

grace

Definition of grace for English Language Learners

grace

Definition of grace for English Language Learners

GRACE Defined for Kids

grace

Definition of grace for Students

grace

Definition of grace for Students

Law Dictionary

grace

legal Definition of grace

Learn More about grace

Seen and Heard

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