gracious
adjective/ˈɡreɪʃəs/
/ˈɡreɪʃəs/
- (of people or behaviour) kind, polite and generous, especially to somebody of a lower social position
- a gracious lady
- a gracious smile
- Lady Caroline was gracious enough to accept our invitation.
- He has not yet learned how to be gracious in defeat.
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- [usually before noun] showing the comfort and easy way of life that wealth can bring
- gracious living
- [only before noun] (British English, formal) used as a very polite word for royal people or their actions
- her gracious Majesty the Queen
- The performance will take place in the gracious presence of HRH the Prince of Wales.
- gracious (to somebody) (of God) being kind and showing mercy
- a gracious act of God
- (becoming old-fashioned) used for expressing surprise
- Goodness gracious!
- ‘I hope you didn't mind my phoning you.’ ‘Good gracious, no, of course not.’
Word OriginMiddle English: via Old French from Latin gratiosus, from gratia ‘esteem, favour’, from gratus ‘pleasing, thankful’.
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gracious