gracious
gb/ɡɹˈeɪʃəs/ us/ɡɹˈeɪʃəs/
B1
English
~ 3300
kedves, szívélyes, nagyvonalú, sportszerű, elegáns, kifinomultság, csiszoltság, elegancia, kifinomult, kegyelmes, irgalmas
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is gracious to [someone]
She was gracious to everyone she met at the party.
Mindenkivel kedves volt, akivel a partin találkozott.
The actor gave a gracious thank-you speech.
A színész kedves hangú köszönőbeszédet mondott.
He was gracious in accepting the criticism from his colleagues.
Our hostess was warm and gracious throughout the evening.
Learner examples
She is gracious to her guests.
Kedves a vendégeihez.
The teacher was gracious to the new student.
A tanár kedves volt az új diákkal.
He gave a gracious answer to the question.
Our neighbor is always gracious when we visit.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'gracious' with 'graceful'. 'Gracious' is about kindness and politeness, not physical movement.
Meaning
Polite and kind towards others
Collocations
gracious host
|gracious reply
|gracious manner
|gracious smile
Synonyms
courteous (Slightly more formal and emphasizes respect and good manners.)
|
kind (More general; focuses on a caring attitude rather than manners.)
Antonyms
rude (Lacking politeness or respect in speech or behavior.)
|
impolite (Direct opposite in terms of manners and courtesy.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Being very polite and kind to other people.
Showing kindness, politeness, and respect toward others in speech or behavior.
B2
2
nagyvonalú
B2
sportszerű
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is gracious in [victory/defeat]
She was gracious in victory, praising her opponent's skill.
Győztesként nagyvonalúan viselkedett, és dicsérte ellenfele ügyességét.
Even after losing, he remained gracious in defeat.
Még a vereséget is sportszerűen viselte.
The politician was gracious towards his critics after the election results.
Learner examples
He was gracious in defeat.
Sportszerűen viselte a vereséget.
She was gracious after she won the game.
Miután megnyerte a játékot, nagyvonalúan viselkedett.
The player was gracious to his opponent.
Meaning
Generous and forgiving to a rival
Collocations
gracious in victory
|gracious in defeat
Synonyms
magnanimous (More formal; emphasizes nobility of spirit and generosity towards rivals.)
Antonyms
spiteful (Acting with malice or wishing harm to others, especially rivals.)
Themes
sports
|emotions
|relationships
Definition
Being kind and fair to someone you have beaten or who has been against you.
Displaying generosity, forgiveness, or good sportsmanship, especially towards someone one has defeated or disagrees with.
B2
LITERARY
3
Usage pattern:
[something] is gracious in [style/manner]
They lived in a gracious old house filled with antiques.
Egy elegáns régi házban éltek, tele antik bútorokkal.
The hotel's gracious architecture attracted many visitors.
A szálloda elegáns építészete sok látogatót vonzott.
Her gracious writing style drew praise from critics.
Learner examples
They live in a gracious home.
Elegáns otthonban élnek.
The room has a gracious design.
A szoba kialakítása kifinomult.
The building has a gracious look.
Meaning
Elegant and pleasing in style or manner
Collocations
gracious home
|gracious surroundings
Synonyms
elegant (Focuses on tasteful beauty and sophistication.)
Antonyms
clumsy (Awkward or lacking elegance in style or manner.)
Themes
art
|aesthetics
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Looking or sounding beautiful and stylish in a gentle way.
Having an attractive, refined, and pleasing style or appearance.
C1
LITERARY
4
We give thanks to our gracious Lord for these blessings.
Hálát adunk kegyelmes Urunknak ezekért az áldásokért.
The hymn praises God as loving and gracious.
A himnusz Istent szeretőnek és kegyelmesnek magasztalja.
They believed the harvest was a gift from a gracious God.
Learner examples
God is gracious to us.
Isten kegyelmes hozzánk.
We thank our gracious Lord.
Hálát adunk kegyelmes Urunknak.
The song says God is gracious.
Meaning
Relating to divine blessing or favor
Collocations
the gracious Lord
|God is gracious
Synonyms
merciful (Emphasizes compassion and forgiveness, especially from God.)
Antonyms
wrathful (Showing anger or punishment, especially from God.)
Themes
religion
Definition
Kind and merciful, like God; showing God's blessing.
Showing the qualities of kindness and mercy attributed to a deity; blessed by divine favor.
Grammar
Dictionary form
gracious
IPA
GB/ɡɹˈeɪʃəs/
US/ɡɹˈeɪʃəs/
Syllables & stress
gra - cious (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (gra)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: gracious
Word family
Expressions
be gracious enough to
1/bˈi ɡɹˈeɪʃəs ɪnˈʌf tə/
fixed phrase
formal
Willingly do something kind or polite
To do something nice for someone, often as a favor.
Examples
- Would you be gracious enough to show me the way?
- She was gracious enough to lend me her book.
good gracious
1/ɡˈʊd ɡɹˈeɪʃəs/
idiom
informal
Expression of surprise or shock
An expression used to show surprise or shock in a polite way.
Examples
- Good gracious! I didn’t expect to see you here.
- Good gracious, what happened to your car?
gracious me
1/ɡɹˈeɪʃəs mˈi/
idiom
informal
Expression of mild surprise or concern
A polite expression used when something surprising or worrying happens.
Examples
- Gracious me, I forgot my keys!
- Gracious me, how did this happen?