graceful
gb/ɡɹˈeɪsfəl/ us/ɡɹˈeɪsfəl/
B1
English
~ 3300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Having smooth, attractive movement
Moving or looking in a way that is smooth and beautiful.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is graceful
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'graceful' with 'gracious'. 'Graceful' refers to beauty of movement or form, while 'gracious' refers to kindness or politeness.
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.)
Collocations
graceful movements
|graceful dancer
|graceful curve
|graceful posture
|graceful lines
Themes
appearance
|art
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The ballerina's graceful steps captivated the audience.
- He made a graceful turn around the corner.
- 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.
- The bird moves in a graceful way.
- He has a graceful smile.
- The boat moves graceful on the water.
adjective
B2
property
2
Showing politeness and tact
Being polite and respectful, especially when it is difficult.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is graceful in [situation]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with physical grace; here it refers to social manners, not movement.
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.)
Collocations
graceful acceptance
|graceful exit
|graceful reply
Themes
emotions
|social
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She made a graceful exit from the conversation.
- He accepted the criticism in a graceful way.
- Her graceful handling of the situation impressed everyone.
Learner examples
- He was graceful when he lost the game.
- She made a graceful answer to a hard question.
- The man was graceful when he said goodbye.
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.