gracious
gb/ɡɹˈeɪʃəs/ us/ɡɹˈeɪʃəs/
B1
English
~ 3300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Polite and kind towards others
Being very polite and kind to other people.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is gracious to [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'gracious' with 'graceful'. 'Gracious' is about kindness and politeness, not physical movement.
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.)
Collocations
gracious host
|gracious reply
|gracious manner
|gracious smile
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She was gracious to everyone she met at the party.
- The actor gave a gracious thank-you speech.
- 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.
- The teacher was gracious to the new student.
- He gave a gracious answer to the question.
- Our neighbor is always gracious when we visit.
adjective
B2
property
2
Generous and forgiving to a rival
Being kind and fair to someone you have beaten or who has been against you.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is gracious in [victory/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.)
Collocations
gracious in victory
|gracious in defeat
Themes
sports
|emotions
|relationships
Examples
- She was gracious in victory, praising her opponent's skill.
- Even after losing, he remained gracious in defeat.
- The politician was gracious towards his critics after the election results.
Learner examples
- He was gracious in defeat.
- She was gracious after she won the game.
- The player was gracious to his opponent.
adjective
literary
B2
property
3
Elegant and pleasing in style or manner
Looking or sounding beautiful and stylish in a gentle way.
Usage pattern:
[something] is gracious in [style/manner]
Synonyms
elegant (Focuses on tasteful beauty and sophistication.)
Antonyms
clumsy (Awkward or lacking elegance in style or manner.)
Collocations
gracious home
|gracious surroundings
Themes
art
|aesthetics
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They lived in a gracious old house filled with antiques.
- The hotel's gracious architecture attracted many visitors.
- Her gracious writing style drew praise from critics.
Learner examples
- They live in a gracious home.
- The room has a gracious design.
- The building has a gracious look.
adjective
literary
C1
property
4
Relating to divine blessing or favor
Kind and merciful, like God; showing God's blessing.
Synonyms
merciful (Emphasizes compassion and forgiveness, especially from God.)
Antonyms
wrathful (Showing anger or punishment, especially from God.)
Collocations
the gracious Lord
|God is gracious
Themes
religion
Examples
- We give thanks to our gracious Lord for these blessings.
- The hymn praises God as loving and gracious.
- They believed the harvest was a gift from a gracious God.
Learner examples
- God is gracious to us.
- We thank our gracious Lord.
- The song says God is gracious.
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?