gracious

American  

[grey-shuhs] / ˈgreɪ ʃəs /

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.

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interjection

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

gracious British  

/ 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 living

   gracious furnishings

4. merciful or compassionate

5. obsolete fortunate, prosperous, or happy

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interjection

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

gracious Idioms  

1. see goodness gracious.

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Related Words

See kind ¹.

Other Word Forms

• graciosity noun
• graciously adverb
• graciousness noun
• nongraciosity noun
• nongracious adjective
• overgracious adjective
• quasi-gracious adjective

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.

Example Sentences

“Markets aren’t typically so gracious as to offer multiple opportunities, which is why we have encouraged investors to be early,” he said.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

While Fetterman was gracious to Mullin during his questioning, though, he was unusually coy about the status of his support.

From Slate • Mar. 18, 2026

A thrifty sort, then—he acts as his own camera operator and prefers hardware-store lightbulbs to specialized equipment—and one gracious in acknowledging his co-workers of many years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

"The family has been nothing but co-operative and gracious and are victims in this case," said the Pima County Sheriff's Office, which has been leading the investigation.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

We shared the joy of being in this room, in the home of an artist, a person whose life was gracious and carefree, whose furnishings and decorations were as impractical as ours were utilitarian.

From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago

Related Words

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