gracious

[grey-shuhs]

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.

interjection

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

gracious

/ 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

interjection

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gracious¹

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; grace, -ous

Idioms and Phrases

see goodness gracious.

Synonym Study

See kind ¹.

Example Sentences

I remember early on being like, “Goodness gracious — that voice.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I have had nothing but the most amazing experience and time here ... and everyone has been so kind and so gracious. And the things that I said were not representative of that at all.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Welsh government said Morgan wrote to the King to "thank him for his gracious invite" but feels "her place is here with colleagues as she continues to support them during this incredibly difficult time".

From BBC

The president could have been gracious and extended Harris’ protection.

From Los Angeles Times

"But I have to also be gracious, thank Jesse. I don't want to get used to it but I have to take it on the chin. It was more like, please, celebrate after the whistle."

From BBC

Related Words

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