grace

1 of 2

noun

ˈgrās 

1

a

: ease and fluidity of movement or manner

danced with such grace

walked across the stage with effortless grace

b

: a pleasing appearance or effect : charm

… the grace of the draped forms of evergreens …

—Susan Clotfelter

… all the grace of youth …

—John Buchan

see also saving grace

2

a

: sense of propriety or right

… had the grace not to run for elective office.

—Calvin Trillin

b

: a controlled, polite, and pleasant way of behaving

accepted his advice with grace

handles her problems with grace and dignity

showed grace under fire

They handled the loss with good grace.

c

graces plural : skills employed when behaving politely in social situations : good manners

lovable despite her lack of social graces

3

Christianity

a

: God-given help or kindness

gives thanks for God's grace

by the grace of God

b

: a state of acceptance by God : a state of being pleasing to God

dies in a state of grace

strove to life his life in God's grace

c

: a God-given virtue

the graces of self-denial, humility, and love

4

: a short prayer before a meal

was asked to say grace at dinner

5

a

: approval, favor

stayed in his good graces

b

archaic : mercy, pardon

c

dated : a special favor from a person in power : privilege sense 1

… each in his place, by right, not grace, shall rule his heritage …

—Rudyard Kipling

d

: benevolence, goodwill

"This is my comfort," he said. "Living from the bounty of the Mother Earth, and by her grace."

—Catherine Wells

e

: a temporary exemption : reprieve

was given thirty days' grace to pay the bill

see also grace period

6

—used as a title of address or reference for a duke, a duchess, or an archbishop

7

Graces plural : three sister goddesses in Greek mythology who are the givers of charm and beauty

8

: a musical trill, turn, or appoggiatura

grace

2 of 2

verb

graced; gracing

transitive verb

1

: to confer dignity or honor on

The king graced him with the rank of a knight.

2

: adorn, embellish

… graveled walks graced with statues …

—James A. Michener

Synonyms of grace

Noun

• kindness
• mercy
• privilege
• service
• indulgence
• courtesy

Verb

• adorn
• decorate
• drape

Choose the Right Synonym for grace

mercy, charity, clemency, grace, leniency mean a disposition to show kindness or compassion.

mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it.

threw himself on the mercy of the court

charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others.

show a little charity for the less fortunate

clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing.

the judge refused to show clemency

grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions.

by the grace of God

leniency implies lack of severity in punishing.

criticized the courts for excessive leniency

Examples of grace in a Sentence

Noun

She walked across the stage with effortless grace.

She handles her problems with grace and dignity.

He has shown remarkable grace during this crisis.

She is quite lovable despite her lack of social graces.

Let us give thanks for God's grace.

By the grace of God, no one was seriously hurt.

She tried to live her life in God's grace.

Verb

Several marble statues grace the courtyard.

I hope that you will grace our gathering with your presence.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Adolpho Veloso’s cinematography evokes the stillness and grace of Terrence Malick, while Bryce Dessner’s original score — featuring contributions from Nick Cave on the titular song — stitches together the film’s spiritual undercurrent. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025

Throughout the movie, Strong exudes this fraternal bond on screen in small, intimate ways, exhibiting the grace that Landau had for Springsteen when the artist needed it the most. —Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 24 Oct. 2025

Verb

And because no Baroque masterpiece is complete without a nod to the divine, a private chapel graces the estate, adding an air of spiritual grandeur. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 29 Oct. 2025

Outside, creations by Ludovica Serafini + Roberto Palomba graced the space with elegance and functionality. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin gratia favor, charm, thanks, from gratus pleasing, grateful; akin to Sanskrit gṛṇāti he praises

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing grace

• coup de grace
• fall from grace
• grace note
• grace period
• grace under fire
• grace with one's presence
• in a state of grace
• saving grace
• state of grace
• (there) but for the grace of God (go I)
• with bad/ill grace
• year of grace

Rhymes for grace

• ace
• base
• brace
• case
• chace
• dace
• face
• lace
• mace
• pace
• place
• race

Kids Definition

grace

1 of 2 noun

ˈgrās 

1

a

: help given to people by God in overcoming temptation

b

: a state of freedom from sin enjoyed through divine grace

2

: a short prayer at a meal

3

a

: approval, favor

stayed in the boss's good graces

b

: a special favor : privilege

c

: a temporary delay granted from the performance of an obligation (as the payment of a debt)

4

a

: a charming trait or quality

b

: ease of movement

walks with grace

5

—used as a title for a duke, a duchess, or an archbishop

graceful

-fəl

adjective

gracefully

-fə-lē

adverb

gracefulness noun

grace

2 of 2 verb

graced; gracing

1

: honor entry 2 sense 1b

deeds that graced the town

2

: adorn, embellish

Etymology

Noun

Middle English grace "help from God," from early French grace (same meaning), from Latin gratia "favor, charm, thanks," from gratus "pleasing, thankful, agreeable" — related to agree, congratulate, gracious, gratitude

Legal Definition

grace

noun

1

: a special favor : privilege

considered by many authorities to be a matter of grace and not of right

—The Mentally Disabled and the Law

2

a

: a temporary exemption

b

: the prerogative of mercy exercised (as by a chief executive) or granted in the form of equitable relief