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
gra·cious·ness
plural -es
: the quality or state of being gracious
moved by the slim graciousness of her figure—
C. B. Kelland
C. B. Kellandthe courtly graciousness of an old and gentle culture
Examples of gracious in a Sentence
Adjective
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
Zach Powell, New York Times, 23 May 2026
There’s an art to being a gracious guest.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 22 May 2026
Despite the group’s acceptance, Terminus knew the rest of the world would see them through different eyes, ones not as gracious as their own.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Meanwhile, gracious but iron-willed family matriarch Claudine works tirelessly behind the scenes to hush up family scandals.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gracious
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Adjective
Branham recalled how raucous the crowd was and how gracious Busch was interacting with fans.
—Zach Powell, New York Times, 23 May 2026
There’s an art to being a gracious guest.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 22 May 2026
Despite the group’s acceptance, Terminus knew the rest of the world would see them through different eyes, ones not as gracious as their own.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Meanwhile, gracious but iron-willed family matriarch Claudine works tirelessly behind the scenes to hush up family scandals.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 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 12 Jun. 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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