gracious

gra·cious | \ ˈgrā-shəs

Definition of gracious

1a : marked by kindness and courtesy a gracious host

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

c : graceful

d : marked by tact and delicacy : urbane

2 : merciful, compassionate —used conventionally of royalty and high nobilitymy gracious lord, the Duke of Windsor

3a archaic : pleasing, acceptable

b obsolete : godly

Other Words from gracious Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about gracious

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web Ed was a kind individual who was always gracious with his time in our interactions on ESPN Radio... — Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, "Edward Aschoff, ESPN College Football Reporter, Dies at 34," 25 Dec. 2019 The farewell ceremony was gorgeous and graceful on the part of the children, filled with dancing, speeches, and gracious gifts. — National Geographic, "A Festive Farewell in Talamarang," 19 Mar. 2020 The quiet elegance and wealth of this city of about 200,000 people, like its smaller, even more picturesque neighbor Bergamo, provide a poignant reminder of how gracious and humanly scaled pre-19th-century cities could be, despite their injustices. — M. D. Aeschliman, National Review, "Two Plagues in Lombardy," 11 Apr. 2020 And every one of them could not have been more gracious in sharing some of their time with me. — Los Angeles Times, "Dodgers Dugout: Jerry Reuss answers your questions," 7 Apr. 2020 Robert has been gracious in helping him with finances and household things that need to be taken care of. — oregonlive, "Dear Annie: Should husband grant friend’s dying wish of seeing him naked?," 13 Jan. 2020 Of Trump's visit to Dayton, DeWine said the president and first lady were gracious and consoling to victims and appreciative of law enforcement. — Fox News, "Ohio governor praises Trump visit, calls for gun control laws that respect Second Amendment," 8 Aug. 2019 Yet, as the sole emissary of her fictional world, Jansson felt the need to be gracious. — Sheila Heti, The New Yorker, "Inside Tove Jansson’s Private Universe," 30 Mar. 2020 This is a gracious spot to meet guests, but the house spreads out from there. — Judy Rose, Detroit Free Press, "$2.8M Bloomfield Township mansion is dramatic, inside and out," 25 Jan. 2020

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.