gracious
adjective
gra·cious ˈgrā-shəs 
1
a
: marked by kindness and courtesy
a gracious host
b
: characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit, and the tasteful leisure of wealth and good breeding
gracious living
c
: graceful
d
: marked by tact and delicacy : urbane
2
: merciful, compassionate —used conventionally of royalty and high nobility
my gracious lord, the Duke of Windsor
3
a
archaic : pleasing, acceptable
b
obsolete : godly
graciously adverb
graciousness noun
Synonyms
- affable
- cordial
- genial
- hospitable
- sociable
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
This is not a surprise given the welcome, gracious atmosphere, the uncommon competence of the kitchen, with its familiar Little Italy Italian menu … and the restaurant's credible wine list. 
Mark Bittman, New York Times, 26 June 2002 If there are not too many in the group, you might inquire solicitously about their health. If you are in a particularly gracious mood, you might even give them a brief resume of your physical condition. Groucho Marx, letter, 15 Nov. 1951, in The Groucho Letters, 1987 Phoebe closed her eyes, seeing her father moving like a shadow among his guests, gracious, smiling, pouring wine and exchanging greetings. Judith Berry Griffin, Phoebe the Spy, 1977 The reception started in orderly enough fashion—gracious and leisurely. Paula Locker, the President of the Club, met me at the door, and I took my place in line with her, with Fishbait Miller doing the introducing. Lady Bird Johnson, A White House Diary, 1970 Thank you for your gracious hospitality. The magazine promotes gracious living. See More
Mark Bittman, New York Times, 26 June 2002 If there are not too many in the group, you might inquire solicitously about their health. If you are in a particularly gracious mood, you might even give them a brief resume of your physical condition. Groucho Marx, letter, 15 Nov. 1951, in The Groucho Letters, 1987 Phoebe closed her eyes, seeing her father moving like a shadow among his guests, gracious, smiling, pouring wine and exchanging greetings. Judith Berry Griffin, Phoebe the Spy, 1977 The reception started in orderly enough fashion—gracious and leisurely. Paula Locker, the President of the Club, met me at the door, and I took my place in line with her, with Fishbait Miller doing the introducing. Lady Bird Johnson, A White House Diary, 1970 Thank you for your gracious hospitality. The magazine promotes gracious living. See More Recent Examples on the Web Drews said the museum has been gracious enough to pencil in the reunion for the last week of August every year, which keeps alive memories of the era but also helps those interested plan to attend. Marc Bona, cleveland, 22 Aug. 2022 Maybe the friend and the friend of the friend and the daughter of the friend will surprise you by being gracious and entertaining company. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 24 July 2022 Michael was very gracious and very interested in talking to me. Sasha Urban, Variety, 1 June 2022 For four years, he has been composed and gracious and very good to guys like me. Paul Daugherty, The Enquirer, 14 Mar. 2022 Some businesses, like the gracious and historic Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel — with its breathtaking panoramas of iconic Table Mountain and Lion's Head — felt slightly understaffed. Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2022 In an NBC News interview, Prince Albert reminisced about Baker’s gracious and friendly character, which established her great friendship with his mother. NBC News, 30 Nov. 2021 Inviting the faraway friend, rather than embarrass her or your local friend, was gracious. Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 21 July 2022 Here is somebody who is gracious and is doing something incredibly generous. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 July 2022 See More
Marc Bona, cleveland, 22 Aug. 2022 Maybe the friend and the friend of the friend and the daughter of the friend will surprise you by being gracious and entertaining company. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 24 July 2022 Michael was very gracious and very interested in talking to me. Sasha Urban, Variety, 1 June 2022 For four years, he has been composed and gracious and very good to guys like me. Paul Daugherty, The Enquirer, 14 Mar. 2022 Some businesses, like the gracious and historic Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel — with its breathtaking panoramas of iconic Table Mountain and Lion's Head — felt slightly understaffed. Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2022 In an NBC News interview, Prince Albert reminisced about Baker’s gracious and friendly character, which established her great friendship with his mother. NBC News, 30 Nov. 2021 Inviting the faraway friend, rather than embarrass her or your local friend, was gracious. Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 21 July 2022 Here is somebody who is gracious and is doing something incredibly generous. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French gracieus, from Latin gratiosus enjoying favor, agreeable, from gratia
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b
Kids Definition
gracious
adjective
gra·cious ˈgrā-shəs
1
: being kind and courteous
a gracious hostess
2
: graceful
a gracious mansion
gracious
adjective
1
as in hospitable
showing a natural kindness and courtesy especially in social situations a gracious host who goes out of his way to make every guest feel welcome Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- hospitable
- kindly
- polite
- thoughtful
- friendly
- affable
- amiable
- cordial
- kind
- courteous
- obliging
- genial
- outgoing
- accommodating
- congenial
- sociable
- benign
- considerate
- agreeable
- attentive
- neighborly
- convivial
- benignant
- approachable
- cosmopolitan
- sophisticated
- urbane
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ungracious
- inhospitable
- ungenial
- unsociable
- churlish
- boorish
- brusque
- abrupt
- blunt
- gruff
- curt
- sharp
- unkind
- rude
- unfriendly
- surly
- snippy
- disagreeable
- discourteous
- sullen
- impolite
- uncivil
- unmannerly
- antisocial
- cross
- grumpy
- brusk
- crusty
- crabby
- crabbed
- ill-mannered
2
as in pleasant
having an easygoing and pleasing manner especially in social situations a gracious innkeeper whose jokes and laughter made weary travelers feel right at home Synonyms & Similar Words
- pleasant
- nice
- amiable
- sweet
- friendly
- affable
- delightful
- kind
- agreeable
- cheerful
- polite
- good-natured
- thoughtful
- genial
- gentle
- clever
- good-tempered
- attractive
- well-disposed
- courteous
- mellow
- cordial
- neighborly
- amicable
- benign
- considerate
- obliging
- enjoyable
- accommodating
- cheery
- civil
- companionable
- amenable
- likable
- conversable
- sociable
- sunny
- glad
- likeable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ungracious
- unpleasant
- disagreeable
- unkind
- surly
- discourteous
- rude
- unamiable
- ungenial
- impolite
- inconsiderate
- boorish
- uncivil
- cantankerous
- unmannerly
- irritable
- irascible
- petulant
- peevish
- churlish
- unsociable
- grumpy
- grouchy
- snappish
- touchy
- contrary
- fussy
- crabby
- ornery
- ill-tempered
- testy
- choleric
- dyspeptic
- bilious
- ill-natured
- contentious
- querulous
- argumentative
- unattractive
- ill-mannered
- bearish
- ill-humored
- unappealing
- cranky
- sour
- quick-tempered
- vinegary
3
as in polite
showing consideration, courtesy, and good manners he was a gracious man, habitually offering his seat on the bus to elderly women Synonyms & Similar Words
- polite
- thoughtful
- courteous
- nice
- respectful
- careful
- civil
- graceful
- friendly
- pleasant
- mannerly
- genteel
- elegant
- humble
- gallant
- respectable
- civilized
- attentive
- solicitous
- considerate
- well-bred
- good
- gentlemanly
- hospitable
- chivalrous
- appropriate
- meek
- ceremonious
- smooth
- acceptable
- suave
- affable
- dutiful
- deferential
- ladylike
- gentlemanlike
- ceremonial
- decent
- suitable
- unctuous
- urbane
- formal
- decorous
- cordial
- correct
- courtly
- genial
- befitting
- refined
- fitting
- modest
- submissive
- proper
- seemly
- sociable
- meet
- demure
- felicitous
- right
- unassertive
- yielding
- couth
- fit
- becoming
- red-carpet
- comme il faut
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ungracious
- discourteous
- thoughtless
- rude
- impolite
- inconsiderate
- thoughtless
- unmannered
- uncivil
- unmannerly
- inconsiderate
- bold
- impudent
- disrespectful
- audacious
- ungenteel
- insolent
- heedless
- shameless
- informal
- saucy
- impertinent
- brassy
- casual
- churlish
- brash
- boorish
- mannerless
- vulgar
- uncouth
- improper
- clownish
- ill-mannered
- arrogant
- inappropriate
- loutish
- ill-bred
- unceremonious
- unseemly
- incorrect
- indecent
- presumptuous
- indecorous
- pretentious
- conceited
- bold-faced
- lippy
- unrespectable
- clodhopping
- presuming
- uncalled-for
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of gracious are affable, cordial, genial, and sociable. While all these words mean "markedly pleasant and easy in social intercourse," gracious implies courtesy and kindly consideration.
the gracious award winner thanked her colleagues
Although the words affable and gracious have much in common, affable implies easy approachability and readiness to respond pleasantly to conversation or requests or proposals.
though wealthy, she was affable to all
In some situations, the words cordial and gracious are roughly equivalent. However, cordial stresses warmth and heartiness.
our host was cordial as he greeted us
The meanings of genial and gracious largely overlap; however, genial stresses cheerfulness and even joviality.
a genial companion with a ready quip
The synonyms sociable and gracious are sometimes interchangeable, but sociable suggests a genuine liking for the companionship of others.
sociable people who enjoy entertaining