graceful
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of graceful
A late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at grace, -ful
Explanation
Use the adjective graceful to describe movements that are lovely and elegant. If you watch a yoga class, you'll see a variety of styles, ranging from awkward to graceful. Were some people born graceful? From their elegant way they move to their great timing and well-chosen words, being graceful does seem to come naturally to some. For others, it comes with practice and being focused. For example, the discipline of ballet makes dancers graceful — even when reaching for something on a high shelf at the grocery store.
Vocabulary lists containing graceful
Power Suffix: -ful
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"Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto
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A Single Shard
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Urbanie Lucero’s choreography and movement direction maintain the production’s graceful poise.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
At the graceful foreign ministry compound in Kabul, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi tries to put on a brave face.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026
On that last track, recorded a dozen years ago, Mr. Lloyd, playing alto sax, seems like a fountain, distilling fragments of songs and scales into a narrative that spills forth in graceful gushes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
“Blow Out” tees up an astonishing setup and payoff, yet does so with a graceful simplicity that makes returning to the film edifying no matter how many times you’ve seen it.
From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026
I could see only the graceful upswept bun of her chestnut hair.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
