gracious

adjective

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 nobility my 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

Gosz pointed out the benefit of hosting events isn't merely to be gracious. — Jr Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Facilities upgrades at high schools have been part of renovation revolution," 1 Mar. 2018 The thought of having to go through all of that plus having a million cameras in my face, bullied left right and center, and still be gracious, elegant, gorgeous, and full of purpose in front of the whole world is unimaginable. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Audra McDonald Defends Meghan Markle Against Online Abuse & Press Intrusion," 10 Mar. 2019 Then head to the gracious neighborhood of Cloverdale to visit the Fitzgerald Museum, the last home of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. — New York Times, "36 Hours in Montgomery, Ala.," 3 May 2018 Who is an extraordinary human being, gracious, a consummate professional, a gentleman, a kind soul? — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "Alex Trebek's Cancer Diagnosis Sparks Outpour of Support From Pat Sajak, Cher, and More," 7 Mar. 2019 That fact must frustrate him, but on a sunny Saturday, James, now wearing board shorts, was feeling gracious about the Warriors. — Ann Killion, San Francisco Chronicle, "Cavaliers’ LeBron James becomes even more resolute after tough Game 1 loss," 3 June 2018 From a flurry of dogs, to some ridiculously adorable children, Harry has been continually gracious to everyone who's made the effort to welcome him in Australia. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "This Woman Meeting Prince Harry on the Royal Tour Is All of Us," 18 Oct. 2018 An otherwise casual person who wears scrubs to work, Nate looked smoking hot in a suit, complimented my outfit, was gracious to the newlyweds and their family, fetched drinks for my friends, and even spun a grandma around the dance floor. 2. — Anne Roderique-jones, SELF, "15 Lessons I’ve Learned in 15 Years of Marriage," 8 Jan. 2019 The university was just so gracious to provide a day like this for me and my family. — Safid Deen, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Florida State honors longtime baseball coach Mike Martin for NCAA wins record," 19 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.