gracious
Americanadjective
-
pleasantly kind, benevolent, and courteous.
- Antonyms:
- churlish
-
characterized by good taste, comfort, ease, or luxury: a gracious home.
gracious suburban living;
a gracious home.
-
indulgent or beneficent in a pleasantly condescending way, especially to inferiors.
-
merciful or compassionate.
our gracious king.
- Antonyms:
- cruel
-
Obsolete. fortunate or happy.
interjection
adjective
-
characterized by or showing kindness and courtesy
-
condescendingly courteous, benevolent, or indulgent
-
characterized by or suitable for a life of elegance, ease, and indulgence
gracious living
gracious furnishings
-
merciful or compassionate
-
obsolete fortunate, prosperous, or happy
interjection
Synonym Usage
See kind 1.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of gracious
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; see grace, -ous
Explanation
Gracious means "kind, courteous, and compassionate," like your gracious reply to a rude question like, "So, did you ever learn to hit a softball?" Gracious descends from the Latin word for good will. A gracious person wants everyone to be comfortable: a gracious host leaves extra blankets and some books on a variety of subjects out for overnight guests to enjoy. Even at a difficult moment, a gracious person remains thoughtful and kind, like the gracious way you treat a waiter who spills a glass of juice on your lap.
Vocabulary lists containing gracious
Be Nice!
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More Positive Words to Describe a Person
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The Emancipation Proclamation (1862)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"We are gracious in victory, and we must be gracious in defeat," he said.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
“The gracious primary suite offers a luxurious private retreat with tranquil views overlooking the lush grounds,” the listing describes.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 23, 2026
“I think that united us even more,” said winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh, who spoke eloquently in English postmatch, a gracious statesman in Adidas sneakers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 22, 2026
At a series of other events, the gracious and glad-handing presence of the 77-year-old king, who peppered remarks with lighthearted jokes, also kindled a spirit of fellow-feeling among ordinarily divided American politicians.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 30, 2026
Leave it to Mom to be prouder of me for being a gracious loser than for any actual accomplishment.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
