gracious

adjective gra·cious \ ˈgrā-shəs \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: gracious in a Sentence

Definition of gracious

1 a obsolete : godly

b archaic : pleasing, acceptable

2 a : marked by kindness and courtesy

a gracious host

b : graceful

c : marked by tact and delicacy : urbane

d : characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit, and the tasteful leisure of wealth and good breeding

gracious living

3 : merciful, compassionate —used conventionally of royalty and high nobility

my gracious lord, the Duke of Windsor

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graciously

adverb

—

graciousness

noun

See gracious defined for English-language learners

See gracious defined for kids

Examples of gracious in a Sentence

This is not a surprise given the welcome, gracious atmosphere, the uncommon competence of the kitchen, with its familiar Little Italy Italian menu … and the restaurant's credible wine list. —Mark Bittman, New York Times, 26 June 2002
If there are not too many in the group, you might inquire solicitously about their health. If you are in a particularly gracious mood, you might even give them a brief resume of your physical condition. —Groucho Marx, letter, 15 Nov. 1951, in The Groucho Letters, 1987
Phoebe closed her eyes, seeing her father moving like a shadow among his guests, gracious, smiling, pouring wine and exchanging greetings. —Judith Berry Griffin, Phoebe the Spy, 1977
The reception started in orderly enough fashion—gracious and leisurely. Paula Locker, the President of the Club, met me at the door, and I took my place in line with her, with Fishbait Miller doing the introducing. —Lady Bird Johnson, A White House Diary, 1970
Thank you for your gracious hospitality.
The magazine promotes gracious living.

Recent Examples of gracious from the Web

This gracious, three-story 300-year-old Victorian is on the National Registry of Historic Places; guests stay among the 11 rooms in the main house, or in the 10-room carriage house.

— BostonGlobe.com, "How to do Cape Cod on a budget," 6 June 2018
His supporters are applauding the middle-finger salute to the Super Bowl champions, while many others see it as a less-than-gracious insult—for a team on which no one kneeled in protest last season.

— howard kurtz, Fox News, "Going on offense: Trump cancels Eagles after most blew off White House visit," 6 June 2018
So many times, when someone opens the pages of The Aegis there are stories of more gracious giving.

— The Aegis, "So many needs [Editorial]," 1 June 2018
As hosts—and employers—the Treichls were unerringly gracious.

— david usborne, Town & Country, "The Mysterious Case of the Parnham House Fire," 29 May 2018
There is little reason to think Trump would emulate Nixon in making a gracious exit.

— jeet heer, The New Republic, "Trump Won’t Hesitate to Tear It All Down," 28 May 2018
The kind and gracious thing would be to end things with him as soon as possible.

— author: wayne and wanda, Anchorage Daily News, "I married the guy I had an affair with. Now he’s cheating on me — and things just get messier from there.," 27 May 2018
God save our gracious Queen, Long live our noble Queen, God save The Queen!

— cnn staff, CNN, "Full order of service for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle," 18 May 2018
Blazers senior Hannah Mardiney had talked to the media so many times after losses, always with a smile on her face, always gracious in defeat.

— katherine dunn, baltimoresun.com, "McDonogh girls lacrosse's 198-game winning streak: 'The most incredible thing in the world'," 12 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of gracious

Middle English, from Anglo-French gracieus, from Latin gratiosus enjoying favor, agreeable, from gratia

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

gracious Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of gracious

gracious, cordial, affable, genial, sociable mean markedly pleasant and easy in social intercourse. gracious implies courtesy and kindly consideration.

- the gracious award winner thanked her colleagues

cordial stresses warmth and heartiness.

- our host was cordial as he greeted us

affable implies easy approachability and readiness to respond pleasantly to conversation or requests or proposals.

- though wealthy, she was affable to all

genial stresses cheerfulness and even joviality.

- a genial companion with a ready quip

sociable suggests a genuine liking for the companionship of others.

- sociable people who enjoy entertaining

GRACIOUS Defined for English Language Learners

gracious

adjective

Definition of gracious for English Language Learners

: very polite in a way that shows respect
: having or showing the attractive things (such as charm, good taste, and comfort) that are associated with having a lot of money
—used as an interjection to express mild surprise or for emphasis