graceful
gb/ɡɹˈeɪsfəl/ us/ɡɹˈeɪsfəl/
B1
English
~ 3300
kecses, tapintatos, elegáns, méltóságteljes
B1
1
kecses
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is graceful
The ballerina's graceful steps captivated the audience.
A balerina kecses lépései elbűvölték a közönséget.
He made a graceful turn around the corner.
Kecses mozdulattal fordult be a sarkon.
The swan glided across the lake in a graceful manner.
Her handwriting was neat and graceful.
The cat leapt gracefully onto the wall.
Learner examples
The girl is graceful when she dances.
A lány kecses, amikor táncol.
The bird moves in a graceful way.
A madár kecsesen mozog.
He has a graceful smile.
The boat moves graceful on the water.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'graceful' with 'gracious'. 'Graceful' refers to beauty of movement or form, while 'gracious' refers to kindness or politeness.
Meaning
Having smooth, attractive movement
Collocations
graceful movements
|graceful dancer
|graceful curve
|graceful posture
|graceful lines
Synonyms
elegant (Often suggests stylishness and refinement, not just movement.)
|
fluid (Emphasizes smoothness and ease of movement.)
Antonyms
clumsy (Suggests awkward or uncoordinated movement.)
|
awkward (Implies lacking skill or ease in movement.)
Themes
appearance
|art
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|arts_entertainment
Definition
Moving or looking in a way that is smooth and beautiful.
Having a pleasing and elegant quality in movement, form, or manner.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is graceful in [situation]
She made a graceful exit from the conversation.
Tapintatosan vonta ki magát a beszélgetésből.
He accepted the criticism in a graceful way.
Méltósággal fogadta a kritikát.
Her graceful handling of the situation impressed everyone.
Learner examples
He was graceful when he lost the game.
Méltósággal viselte, hogy elvesztette a játékot.
She made a graceful answer to a hard question.
Tapintatos választ adott egy nehéz kérdésre.
The man was graceful when he said goodbye.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with physical grace; here it refers to social manners, not movement.
Meaning
Showing politeness and tact
Collocations
graceful acceptance
|graceful exit
|graceful reply
Synonyms
gracious (Very close in meaning but often broader, including generosity and kindness.)
|
courteous (Focuses on formal politeness.)
Antonyms
rude (Lacking politeness or respect.)
|
tactless (Lacking sensitivity in dealing with others.)
Themes
emotions
|social
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Being polite and respectful, especially when it is difficult.
Showing politeness, respect, or tact, especially in difficult situations.
Grammar
Dictionary form
graceful
IPA
GB/ɡɹˈeɪsfəl/
US/ɡɹˈeɪsfəl/
Syllables & stress
grace - ful (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (grace)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: graceful
Word family
Core family
grace
noun B1
gracefully
adverb B2
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
ungraceful
adjective
ungracefully
adverb
graceless
adjective
Advanced or less common
graciousness
noun
gracelessness
noun
Expressions
graceful exit
1/ɡɹˈeɪsfəl ˈɛksɪt/
fixed phrase
Polite and tactful departure
Leaving a place or situation in a polite and respectful way.
Examples
- She made a graceful exit before the meeting became too heated.
- He found a way to make a graceful exit from the awkward conversation.
age gracefully
1/ˈeɪd͡ʒ ɡɹˈeɪsfəli/
fixed phrase
get older but stay attractive
To get older in a natural way, while still looking good and acting calm and confident.
Examples
- She has aged gracefully, still looking vibrant and confident.
- She has chosen to age gracefully, without trying to hide every wrinkle.
- They hope to age gracefully without worrying too much about wrinkles.
- Many people admire actors who age gracefully and do not pretend to be young.
- He is aging gracefully, staying healthy and positive in his seventies.