grace

[ greys ]

/ greɪs /

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noun

elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action: We watched her skate with effortless grace across the ice.

a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment: He lacked the manly graces.

favor or goodwill.

a manifestation of favor, especially by a superior: It was only through the dean's grace that I wasn't expelled from school.

mercy; clemency; pardon: He was saved by an act of grace from the governor.

favor shown in granting a delay or temporary immunity.

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

Theology.

the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.
the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.
a virtue or excellence of divine origin: the Christian graces.
Also called state of grace. the condition of being in God's favor or one of the elect.

moral strength: the grace to perform a duty.

a short prayer before or after a meal, in which a blessing is asked and thanks are given: Grandfather will now say grace.

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.).

Graces, Classical Mythology. the goddesses of beauty, daughters of Zeus and Eurynome, worshiped in Greece as the Charities and in Rome as the Gratiae.

Music. grace note.

verb (used with object), graced, grac·ing.

to lend or add grace to; adorn: Many fine paintings graced the rooms of the house.

to favor or honor: to grace an occasion with one's presence.

OTHER WORDS FOR grace

1 attractiveness, charm, gracefulness, comeliness, lissomeness; refinement, class.

3 kindness, kindliness, love, benignity; benevolence.

4 forgiveness, charity, mercifulness.

5 lenity, leniency, reprieve.

14 embellish, beautify, deck, decorate, ornament; enhance.

15 glorify, elevate, exalt.

See synonyms for grace on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR grace

1 stiffness, ugliness, awkwardness, clumsiness; klutziness.

4 animosity, enmity, disfavor.

5 harshness.

14 disfigure, desecrate, demean.

15 disrespect, dishonor.

See antonyms for grace on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about grace

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!

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

fall from grace,

Theology. to relapse into sin or disfavor.
to lose favor; be discredited: He fell from grace when the boss found out he had lied.

have the grace to, to be so kind as to: Would you have the grace to help, please?

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.

with bad grace, reluctantly; grudgingly: He apologized, but did so with bad grace.Also with a bad grace.

with good grace, willingly; ungrudgingly: She took on the extra work with good grace.

Origin of grace

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

historical usage of grace

¡Gracias! Grazie! When a Spanish or Italian speaker says thanks, they are invoking one of the meanings behind the word grace. That’s because grace, gracias, and grazie all descend from the same Latin word, grātia.
For the ancient Romans, grātia had three distinct meanings: (1) a pleasing quality, (2) favor or goodwill, and (3) gratitude or thanks. We find all three of these meanings in modern-day English. The first when we describe someone as having (or not having) grace: Dancing, she had all the grace of an elephant on skates. The second when we talk about giving or getting grace: by the grace of God. And the third when we say grace (i.e., “thanks”) at a meal.
So if you have something to be grateful for, you can say thank you, grātia, gracias, or grazie. Just make sure you don’t give that something a coup de grâce.

popular references for grace

— Amazing Grace: A hymn written by English clergyman John Newton, who participated in the slave trade before finding religion.
— Grace: Jeff Buckley’s sole studio album, released in 1994, just three years before his early death.

OTHER WORDS FROM grace

gracelike, adjectiveun·graced, adjective

Other definitions for grace (2 of 2)

Grace

[ greys ]

/ greɪs /

noun

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

a female given name.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use grace in a sentence

Well, we could go into its antecedents in both India and Germany, the push to make it an Olympic event and all of the strength, suppleness, skill and grace it takes to pull it off well.
Know Your Flow: The Good Sh*t Guide to Pole Passions|Eugene Robinson|November 12, 2020|Ozy
Given that daily life and the small hardships thereof are basically the building blocks of the human experience, I don’t think you need to do a lot of explaining to your kids about the importance of managing them with grace.
Carolyn Hax: She has a 90-minute commute, but it doesn’t have to be all uphill|Carolyn Hax|November 12, 2020|Washington Post
There are many other stories of leaders, politicians, and celebrities who have taken to hiding embarrassing relatives, perhaps to stay in the good graces of the public.
Why We Judge People Based on Their Relatives - Facts So Romantic|Diana Fleischman|November 11, 2020|Nautilus
You don’t have to like each other, but proffered grace is a start.
Carolyn Hax: Mother-in-law constantly demeans her|Carolyn Hax|November 11, 2020|Washington Post

It’s a twist that could be awkward, but she manages it with a huge smile, confidence and grace.
‘The Bachelorette’s’ second premiere: New lead Tayshia Adams meets Clare Crawley’s leftovers|Lisa Bonos|November 11, 2020|Washington Post
For 50 years, this city that once graced postcards has been a battlefield.
‘Argo’ in the Congo: The Ghosts of the Stanleyville Hostage Crisis|Nina Strochlic|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Toronto Zoo polar bear cub has been a fixture of this video blog since he first graced the world with his adorable presence.
Adele Dazeem Sings, RT Anchor Quits, and More Viral Videos|The Daily Beast Video|March 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He has graced my life with opportunities that I know are not of my hand or of any other human hand.
Matthew McConaughey’s God Moment|William O’Connor|March 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Palais Galliera is graced with high ceilings, and feels grand and worshipful, a St. Sulpice church for fashion devotees.
Azzedine Alaïa Retrospective Opens at Palais Galliera in Paris|Sarah Moroz|September 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Products bearing his iconic image have graced the lips, hair, and faces of millions of men and women across the world.
Burt’s Bees Co-Founder Burt Shavitz on the Doc ‘Burt’s Buzz,’ and Losing Millions|Marlow Stern|September 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
His presence, also, always graced Walls End Castle at the regulation periods.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
For several weeks he and Dr. Wolff had pottered about the set of rooms that were to be graced by Georgie's presence.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Thomas's head was placed on the castle tower, and the heads of the others graced the three gates of the city.
King Robert the Bruce|A. F. Murison
In 1819 he was enrolled among the most distinguished dandies who graced Parisian society.
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z|Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe
Here we taste a mingling of modern elegance and hoary antiquity, such as has never ere now graced life for either of us.
A Thin Ghost and Others|M. R. (Montague Rhodes) James

British Dictionary definitions for grace (1 of 3)

grace

/ (ɡreɪs) /

noun

elegance and beauty of movement, form, expression, or proportion

a pleasing or charming quality

goodwill or favour

the granting of a favour or the manifestation of goodwill, esp by a superior

a sense of propriety and consideration for others

(plural)

affectation of manner (esp in the phrase airs and graces)
in someone's good graces regarded favourably and with kindness by someone

mercy; clemency

Christianity

the free and unmerited favour of God shown towards man
the divine assistance and power given to man in spiritual rebirth and sanctification
the condition of being favoured or sanctified by God
an unmerited gift, favour, etc, granted by God

a short prayer recited before or after a meal to invoke a blessing upon the food or give thanks for it

music a melodic ornament or decoration

See days of grace

with bad grace or with a bad grace unwillingly or grudgingly

with good grace or with a good grace willingly or cheerfully

verb

(tr) to add elegance and beauty toflowers graced the room

(tr) to honour or favourto grace a party with one's presence

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

Word Origin for grace

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

British Dictionary definitions for grace (2 of 3)

Grace¹

/ (ɡreɪs) /

noun

(preceded by your, his, or her) a title used to address or refer to a duke, duchess, or archbishop

British Dictionary definitions for grace (3 of 3)

Grace²

/ (ɡreɪs) /

noun

W (illiam) G (ilbert). 1848–1915, English cricketer

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with grace

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.

grace

OTHER WORDS FOR grace

OPPOSITES FOR grace

Idioms about grace

Origin of grace

historical usage of grace

popular references for grace

OTHER WORDS FROM grace

Other definitions for grace (2 of 2)

Words related to grace

How to use grace in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for grace (1 of 3)

Word Origin for grace

British Dictionary definitions for grace (2 of 3)

British Dictionary definitions for grace (3 of 3)

Other Idioms and Phrases with grace