graceless

American  

[greys-lis] / ˈgreɪs lɪs /

adjective

1. lacking grace, pleasing elegance, or charm.

2. without any sense of right or propriety.

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graceless British  

/ ˈɡreɪslɪs /

adjective

1. lacking any sense of right and wrong; depraved

2. lacking grace or excellence

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Other Word Forms

• gracelessly adverb
• gracelessness noun

Etymology

Origin of graceless

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; see origin at grace, -less

Explanation

Someone who's graceless is awkward or uncoordinated. Graceless means without grace, by being physically clumsy or by having no manners. A graceless dancer steps on toes, and a graceless winner rubs it in. People can be graceless in their physical movements or actions, like a graceless ballet dancer who thumps heavily across the stage. Or they can be graceless in their words or behavior, like a graceless stand-up comic who isn't funny, just rude and boorish. Graceless originally meant "not in a state of grace," with grace defined as "God's love." A more modern meaning of grace is "beauty of form or movement."

Example Sentences

Was “Boots” going to be “Private Benjamin,” some graceless sitcom about a misfit soldier?

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025

The musical, first staged in 1959, is loosely based on “The Princess and the Pea” fairy tale; Foster plays Princess Winnifred, a graceless minor royal who is a possible bride for a local prince.

From New York Times • May 17, 2024

But a graceless end should not obscure DiFi’s shining accomplishments and her place in American history.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 29, 2023

He describes his co-star in The Piano, the American actor Harvey Keitel, as "truculent and difficult and a bit graceless".

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2023

Our company was composed of bodies too short or too tall, all graceless and all—except mine—pale.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez