graciousness

[ grey-shuhs-nis ]

noun

1. the quality or state of being benevolent, courteous, and kind:

   Everyone who met him spoke of his graciousness and his effort to make sure that even the newest players felt like an important part of the team.

2. the quality or state of being characterized by comfort, ease, or luxury:

   You'll delight in this charming hotel that embodies the pinnacle of graciousness and style.

Other Words From

• non·gra·cious·ness noun
• o·ver·gra·cious·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of graciousness¹

gracious ( def ) + -ness ( def )

Example Sentences

I didn’t shop so much as linger, but the staff were gracious enough to ignore me, which I appreciated.

From Outside Online

His wife, Sarah, was a gracious hostess, but she was also a Methodist who didn’t drink, dance or attend the theater, according to the Miller Center at the University of Virginia.

From Washington Post

We’ve since learned that it was, in fact, gracious and encouraging.

From Washington Post

Although he had every reason to resent Lincoln, Douglas turned out to be one of the most gracious losers in presidential history.

From Washington Post

It is a gracious act to know that you are up against something pretty big and to allow yourself to slow with it, rather than pretend it isn’t happening.

From Washington Post

I got up to leave and Biden, with his usual graciousness, beckoned me to stay.

From The Daily Beast

The whole episode was devoid of any graciousness, and perfectly reflective of a new mood in publishing.

From The Daily Beast

For all his reputation for hauteur, I would forever after remember this evidence of Vidal's graciousness and self-confidence.

From The Daily Beast

I will remember a guy who taught me that being a host was an act of graciousness.

From The Daily Beast

And I am immensely grateful for his graciousness to his defeated opponent.

From The Daily Beast

He bowed a trifle stiffly, and was surprised to have his bow returned with a graciousness that amounted almost to cordiality.

From Project Gutenberg

She was a very literary young woman, much spoken of in Bohemian circles for elegance and graciousness.

From Project Gutenberg

The graciousness of the gesture, was plain enough to the whole room, but the words reached only Courtney and me.

From Project Gutenberg

"Well, you must come if you ever care to," she said, with a big-sister graciousness.

From Project Gutenberg

Ordinarily, Ronny would have addressed the strangers with a certain graciousness of manner which was one of her charms.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• affection
• altruism
• benevolence
• cordiality
• courtesy
• decency
• forbearance
• gentleness
• good will
• goodness
• grace
• hospitality
• humanity
• patience
• solicitude
• sweetness
• sympathy
• tenderness
• tolerance
• understanding