grace

play

noun \ ˈgrās \

Definition of grace

1 a :unmerited divine assistance given 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
Most fillings come neatly sealed at the center, like strips of chicken streaked with cilantro-bright salsa verde or jalapeños gently muffled by queso and given a licorice grace note of epazote.

— ligaya mishan, New York Times, "It’s Called Factory Tamal, but the Food Is Strictly Handmade," 17 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
The (Sessions) episode seems to vividly capture a Trump trait that is familiar to many of his aides, including [Steve Bannon, Sean Spicer and Reince Priebus] — all of whom have at one time fallen out of Trump’s good graces.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Asking about a pardon for himself is a quintessentially Trumpian move," 21 July 2017
The saving grace in the past was that the vast majority of SOE business was within China.

— The Economist, "Reform of China’s ailing state-owned firms is emboldening them," 20 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

Synonyms

benevolence, boon, courtesy, favor, indulgence, kindness, mercy, service, turn

Antonyms

gracelessness, inelegance

Related Words

dispensation, waiver; advantage, benefit, blessing, godsend, manna; liberty, license (or licence), privilege

Near Antonyms

hindrance, hurdle, impediment, interference, obstacle

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

Nearly all hues of the rainbow are accounted for, gracing smiling skulls, glowing light fixtures, and a large board announcing the day’s drink specials.

— lindsey mcclave, The Courier-Journal, "El Mundo's 'controlled chaos' is worth the delicious wait | Review," 30 Aug. 2017
A quick look at a few artists gracing festival stages demonstrates the varied aural pleasures the festival offers.

— beth wood, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Carlsbad Music Festival invites music fans to take a chance on something new," 21 Aug. 2017
Healing crystals are becoming more and more popular, gracing the homes of celebrities like Kylie Jenner, populating your BFF's bedroom, honestly your mom might even be using them.

— brittney mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "People Are Using Healing Crystals on Their Pets," 21 Aug. 2017
The original fragrance brainchild of Coco Chanel has become synonymous with luxury, gracing vanities all over the world for the past ninety-six years.

— maddy zollo, Town & Country, "5 Things You Don’t Know About Chanel N°5," 2 Aug. 2017
Dr. Sackler was the youngest and last surviving of three psychiatrist brothers whose names grace museum wings, medical institutes, professorships and academic and cultural prizes in the United States, Europe, Israel and Asia.

— emily langer, Washington Post, "Raymond Sackler, philanthropist and maker of OxyContin, dies at 97," 21 July 2017
This skatepark lures skaters from around the world, and San Diego legends like Tony Hawk have graced its ramps.

— michael benninger, Pacific San Diego Magazine, "The f#ck-it list: Things to do before you die," 3 July 2017
In the spring of this year, Kendall graced the cover of Vogue India.

— ruth kinane, EW.com, "Keeping up with Kendall and Kylie Jenner's scandals: A timeline," 30 June 2017
Take the pooch to this iconic locale where pups are welcome on the deck near the Old Caboose Ice Cream Shoppe and a pup's face even graces the logo for their own Goober Brau Root Beer; 1035 Sterling Ave.

— vickie snow jurkowski, Daily Southtown, "In dog days of summer, Fido can dine al fresco, too," 29 June 2017

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, do, doll up, do up, drape, dress, embellish, emblaze, emboss, enrich, fancify, fancy up, festoon, garnish, glitz (up), decorate, gussy up, ornament, pretty (up), trim

Antonyms

blemish, deface, disfigure, mar, scar, spoil

Related Words

accessorize, dress up, trap, trick (out); 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; diamond, gem, impearl, jewel, pearl; redecorate, redo

Near Antonyms

simplify, streamline; bare, denude, dismantle, display, divest, expose, reveal, strip, uncover; uglify

GRACE Defined for English Language Learners

grace

play

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

play

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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Origin and Etymology of grace

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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

Related Words

Near Antonyms

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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

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