graceful

adjective

grace·​ful ˈgrās-fəl 

1

: displaying grace (see grace entry 1 sense 1) in form or action : pleasing or attractive in line, proportion, or movement

a graceful dancer

the graceful neck of a swan

2

: exhibiting control, good manners, or kindness

As his empire crumbled amid the … scandal, he defiantly refused a graceful exit.

—Jonathan Alter et al.

gracefully

ˈgrās-fə-lē 

adverb

gracefulness noun

Synonyms of graceful

• agile
• nimble
• balletic
• gracile
• lithe
• lithesome
• spry
• lissome
• feline

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

For an encore, Shaham dispatched a tidy, graceful Bourrée and Double from Bach’s B minor Partita (BWV 1002). —Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 22 Feb. 2026

Abelias lose their natural, graceful appearance when pruned or sheared heavily. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026

Again, there was no graceful alternative except to agree. —Judith Martin, Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2026

But this 100% cotton design is graceful and all grown-up, featuring split corners, decorative stitching, and a tidy silhouette. —Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see grace entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for graceful

• disgraceful
• ungraceful