gracious

[ grey-shuhs ]

adjective

1. pleasantly kind, benevolent, and courteous.

   Synonyms: polite, pleasant, kindly, friendly, courteous, benign, benevolent

   Antonyms: churlish

2. characterized by good taste, comfort, ease, or luxury: a gracious home.

   gracious suburban living;

   a gracious home.

3. indulgent or beneficent in a pleasantly condescending way, especially to inferiors.
4. merciful or compassionate:

   our gracious king.

   Synonyms: gentle, mild, merciful, clement, tender, compassionate

   Antonyms: cruel

5. Obsolete. fortunate or happy.

interjection

1. Also good gracious. (used as an exclamation of surprise, relief, dismay, etc.)

gracious

/ ˈɡreɪʃəs /

adjective

1. characterized by or showing kindness and courtesy
2. condescendingly courteous, benevolent, or indulgent
3. characterized by or suitable for a life of elegance, ease, and indulgence

   gracious furnishings

   gracious living

4. merciful or compassionate
5. obsolete.
   fortunate, prosperous, or happy

interjection

1. an expression of mild surprise or wonder (often in exclamatory phrases such as good gracious!, gracious me! )

Derived Forms

• ˈgraciousness, noun
• ˈgraciously, adverb

Other Words From

• gra·cious·ly adverb
• gra·ci·os·i·ty [grey-shee-, os, -i-tee], noun
• gra·cious·ness noun
• non·gra·ci·os·i·ty noun
• non·gra·cious adjective
• o·ver·gra·cious adjective
• qua·si-gra·cious adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gracious¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English gracious, from Old French, from Latin grātiōsus “amiable,” equivalent to grāti(a) “favor, kindness, esteem” + -ōsus adjective suffix; grace, -ous

Idioms and Phrases

see goodness gracious .

Synonym Study

See kind ¹.

Example Sentences

Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury.

From BBC

He said Valenzuela was a humble and gracious man who not only was a tremendous pitcher but also had the heart of a lion.

From Los Angeles Times

Steve Hideg was classy, gracious, old school, polite, a gentleman, a jazzy cool cat and a caring friend, and his beautiful struggle ended Oct.

From Los Angeles Times

The staff were gracious and clearly passionate about the resort, ensuring that families have an incredible vacation.

From Salon

“Off stage, she was a vibrant and extraordinary woman, a caring and loyal friend, and a warm, gracious, very funny and altogether glorious human being. And she could cook too!”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accommodating
• affable
• amiable
• approachable
• compassionate
• congenial
• considerate
• cordial
• courteous
• courtly
• friendly
• genial
• good-natured
• hospitable
• loving
• polite
• sociable
• well-mannered