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.

---

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

---

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.

---

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; grace, -ous

Example Sentences

In addition to its three bedrooms, the main residence boasts several “gracious living and dining spaces” as well as five fireplaces that help to give it a “warm” feeling throughout.

From MarketWatch

Aunt Kitty and I did our fair share of gracious dipping and bowing and bobbing, then we tromped off toward the table.

From Literature

“He was a very, very kind person, gracious, compassionate. Loyal. Understanding, he was younger than me so I felt like I had to look out for him because he was my little brother.”

From Los Angeles Times

Otherwise, an 18-20% tip is still considered standard for gracious and attentive service.

From The Wall Street Journal

Several of those interviewed recall a "cheeky" sense of humour and a man who was always gracious in defeat.

From BBC

Related Words

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