grace

¹

[ greys ]

noun

1. elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action:

   We watched her skate with effortless grace across the ice.

   Synonyms: class, refinement, charm, attractiveness

2. a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment:

   He lacked the manly graces.

3. favor or goodwill.

   Synonyms: benevolence, benignity, love, kindliness, kindness

4. a manifestation of favor, especially by a superior:

   It was only through the dean's grace that I wasn't expelled from school.

   Synonyms: charity, forgiveness

   Antonyms: disfavor, enmity, animosity

5. mercy; clemency; pardon:

   He was saved by an act of grace from the governor.

   Synonyms: reprieve, leniency, lenity

6. favor shown in granting a delay or temporary immunity.
7. an allowance of time after a debt or bill has become payable granted to the debtor before suit can be brought against them or a penalty applied: Compare grace period.

   The life insurance premium is due today, but we have 31 days' grace before the policy lapses.

8. Theology.
   1. the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.
   2. the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.
   3. a virtue or excellence of divine origin:

      the Christian graces.

   4. Also called state of grace. the condition of being in God's favor or one of the elect.
9. moral strength:

   the grace to perform a duty.

10. a short prayer before or after a meal, in which a blessing is asked and thanks are given:

    Grandfather will now say grace.

11. Usually Grace. a formal title used in addressing or mentioning a duke, duchess, or archbishop, and formerly also a sovereign (usually preceded by your, his, etc.).
12. Graces, Classical Mythology. the goddesses of beauty, daughters of Zeus and Eurynome, worshiped in Greece as the Charities and in Rome as the Gratiae.
13. Music. grace note.

verb (used with object)

, graced, grac·ing.

1. to lend or add grace to; adorn:

   Many fine paintings graced the rooms of the house.

   Synonyms: enhance, ornament, decorate, deck, beautify, embellish

   Antonyms: demean, desecrate, disfigure

2. to favor or honor:

   to grace an occasion with one's presence.

   Synonyms: exalt, elevate, glorify

   Antonyms: dishonor, disrespect

Grace

²

[ greys ]

noun

1. William Russell, 1832–1904, U.S. financier and shipping magnate, born in Ireland: mayor of New York City 1880–88.
2. a female given name.

grace

¹

/ ɡreɪs /

noun

1. elegance and beauty of movement, form, expression, or proportion
2. a pleasing or charming quality
3. goodwill or favour
4. the granting of a favour or the manifestation of goodwill, esp by a superior
5. a sense of propriety and consideration for others
6. plural
   1. affectation of manner (esp in the phrase airs and graces )
   2. regarded favourably and with kindness by someone
7. mercy; clemency
8. Christianity
   1. the free and unmerited favour of God shown towards man
   2. the divine assistance and power given to man in spiritual rebirth and sanctification
   3. the condition of being favoured or sanctified by God
   4. an unmerited gift, favour, etc, granted by God
9. a short prayer recited before or after a meal to invoke a blessing upon the food or give thanks for it
10. music a melodic ornament or decoration
11. See days of grace
12. with bad grace or with a bad grace
    unwillingly or grudgingly
13. with good grace or with a good grace
    willingly or cheerfully

verb

1. tr to add elegance and beauty to

   flowers graced the room

2. tr to honour or favour

   to grace a party with one's presence

3. to ornament or decorate (a melody, part, etc) with nonessential notes

Grace

²

/ ɡreɪs /

noun

1. GraceW(illiam) G(ilbert)18481915MEnglishSPORT AND GAMES: cricketer W ( illiam ) G ( ilbert ). 1848–1915, English cricketer

Grace

³

/ ɡreɪs /

noun

1. preceded byyour, his, or her a title used to address or refer to a duke, duchess, or archbishop

Other Words From

• grace·like adjective
• un·graced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of grace¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin grātia “favor, kindness, esteem,” derivative of grātus “pleasing”

Word History and Origins

Origin of grace¹

C12: from Old French, from Latin grātia, from grātus pleasing

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. but for the grace of God, under less fortunate circumstances:

   But for the grace of God, the brick that just fell from the roof would have hit me on the head!

2. by the grace of God, thankfully; fortunately:

   By the grace of God, I won't have to deal with tax returns for another year.

3. fall from grace,
   1. Theology. to relapse into sin or disfavor.
   2. to lose favor; be discredited:

      He fell from grace when the boss found out he had lied.

4. have the grace to, to be so kind as to:

   Would you have the grace to help, please?

5. in someone's good / bad graces, regarded with favor (or disfavor) by someone:

   It is a wonder that I have managed to stay in her good graces this long.

6. with bad grace, reluctantly; grudgingly: Also with a bad grace.

   He apologized, but did so with bad grace.

7. with good grace, willingly; ungrudgingly:

   She took on the extra work with good grace.

More idioms and phrases containing grace

see fall from grace ; in someone's bad graces ; in someone's good graces ; saving grace ; say grace ; there but for the grace of god ; with good grace .

Example Sentences

Turns out that the alluring woman gracing the book’s cover is the same one who appears in these pages: intelligent, sensitive and engaging.

From Los Angeles Times

"That was the last time I saw you. I hope I have more grace and understanding when and if any of my own four children at such a vulnerable age behave in the same manner."

From BBC

Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Assn., said that even if Kennedy wins confirmation, it’s uncertain how long he would remain in Trump’s good graces.

From Los Angeles Times

And with the grace of a dancer and the force of a quarterback, he whips his racket over his head to connect with the ball in a perfect serve.

From Los Angeles Times

Nonetheless, Trump’s erraticism and sheer incompetence could be a saving grace.

From Salon

Related Words

• adorn
• bedeck
• decorate