1
2
: merciful, compassionate
—used conventionally of royalty and high nobility
my gracious lord, the Duke of Windsor
3
a
archaic
: pleasing, acceptable
b
obsolete
: godly
graciously
adverb
graciousness
noun
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.
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
Club Cottages, Bungalows, and Villas, with one- to four-bedroom options, are gracious residential possibilities as well.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026
The other half, less widely acknowledged, is being a gracious winner.
—Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Like the beloved barbecue, sweet tea, and gracious hospitality the South is known for, kudzu has regrettably become part of the culture.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
Being a gracious loser is crucial to maintaining democracy and self-governance.
—New York Daily News, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gracious
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026
The other half, less widely acknowledged, is being a gracious winner.
—Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Like the beloved barbecue, sweet tea, and gracious hospitality the South is known for, kudzu has regrettably become part of the culture.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
Being a gracious loser is crucial to maintaining democracy and self-governance.
—New York Daily News, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gracious
Cite this Entry
“Gracious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gracious. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gracious
adjective
gra·cious
ˈgrā-shəs 
1
: marked by kindness and courtesy
2
: pleasing or attractive in motion or form
gracious ballet steps
3
: characterized by charm, good taste, and politeness
gracious living
graciously
adverb
graciousness
noun
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