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

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

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 29, 2023

The new courthouse, despite its graceless tower, became Ritchie’s calling card.

From Seattle Times • May 11, 2023

The film is so graceless and bizarre in its attempts at tugging at the viewer’s emotions that it often feels like a work of parody.

From New York Times • Apr. 6, 2023

Coach Murphy still haunts the old fields where his boys bunted down the line, and with graceless fever took infield in voices that cried out for fathers.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy