grace note

noun

1

: a musical note added as an ornament

especially : appoggiatura

2

: a small addition or embellishment

Examples of grace note in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The final grace note is a sprinkling of pig skin, fried and pulverized, to add crackle to the bite. — Warren Rojas, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026

For Lili in her darkest hour to summon a little petty annoyance over the wrong milk substitute for her coffee is a satirical grace note in an episode conspicuously short on laughs. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 24 May 2026

Robertson grounds both versions of Niall in a sad-eyed misery, with Bell stepping in and giving the character grace notes of humor that don’t always seem to fit the story. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026

Both men stood atop Colbert’s desk as Fallon concluded his ode with a grace note encouraging Colbert to run for president in 2028. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for grace note

• anecdote
• antidote
• asymptote
• creosote
• dimethoate
• epidote
• ferryboat
• motorboat
• overcoat
• petticoat
• riverboat
• undercoat

Kids Definition

grace note

noun

: a short musical note added before another as an ornament