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

The country is mired in a war with Iran with no graceful exit opportunities; a new round of tariffs threatens to further disrupt fragile global trade relations; and the domestic economy faces inflation combined with paltry growth. — Zachary Karabell, Washington Post, 21 Aug. 2026

For anyone building toward a finer piece, a moissanite tennis necklace offers a graceful starting point. — Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

The rhyme between her graceful form and the sculpture’s anatomy underscores the clip’s unmistakably erotic frisson. — Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Bronin’s victory at the party’s May nominating convention provided Larson with his last chance for a graceful exit. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 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