ce noun

\ ˈgrās \

Definition of grace (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification

b : a virtue coming from God

c : a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine assistance

2a : APPROVAL, FAVOR

stayed in his good graces

b archaic : MERCY, PARDON

c : a special favor : PRIVILEGE

each in his place, by right, not grace, shall rule his heritage

— Rudyard Kipling

d : disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency

e : a temporary exemption : REPRIEVE

3a : a charming or attractive trait or characteristic

Among disagreeable qualities he possessed the saving grace of humor.

b : a pleasing appearance or effect : CHARM

all the grace of youth

— John Buchan

c : ease and suppleness (see SUPPLE entry 1 sense 2b) of movement or bearing

danced with such grace

4 —used as a title of address or reference for a duke, a duchess, or an archbishop

5 : a short prayer at a meal asking a blessing or giving thanks

6 Graces plural : three sister goddesses in Greek mythology who are the givers of charm and beauty

7 : a musical trill, turn, or appoggiatura

8a : sense of propriety or right

had the grace not to run for elective office

— Calvin Trillin

b : the quality or state of being considerate or thoughtful

accepted his advice with grace

grace verb

graced; gracing

Definition of grace (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to confer dignity or honor on

The king graced him with the rank of a knight.

2 : ADORN, EMBELLISH

graveled walks graced with statues

— J. A. Michener

Synonyms & Antonyms

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Synonyms & Antonyms for grace

Synonyms: Noun

benevolence, boon, courtesy, favor, indulgence, kindness, mercy, service, turn

Synonyms: Verb
adorn, array, beautify, bedeck, bedizen, blazon, caparison, deck, decorate, do, do up, doll up, drape,
dress, embellish, emblaze, emboss, enrich, fancify, fancy up, festoon, garnish, glitz (up), gussy up,
ornament, pretty (up), trim

Antonyms: Verb

blemish, deface, disfigure, mar, scar, spoilVisit the Thesaurus for More

Choose the Right Synonym for grace

Noun

MERCY, CHARITY, CLEMENCY, GRACE, LENIENCY mean a disposition to show kindness or compassion.
MERCY implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it. threw himself on the
mercy of the court CHARITY stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and
tolerance of others. show a little charity for the less fortunate CLEMENCY implies a mild or merciful
disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing. the judge refused to show clemency GRACE
implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions. by the grace of God
LENIENCY implies lack of severity in punishing. criticized the courts for excessive leniency

Examples of grace in a Sentence

Noun

She walked across the stage with effortless grace.

She handles her problems with grace and dignity.

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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The entire movie hinges on their tense relationship, and Andy spends the better part of two hours trying
to get into Miranda's good graces, which finally happens right before the closing credits.

— Zoe Weiner, Glamour, "This 'Devil Wears Prada' Deleted Scene Tells a Completely Different Story," 30
Aug. 2017

Rather, I was suspended in a state of grace, and my heart almost exploded at the joy.

— Maria Finn, Longreads, "Can Love Sparked at Burning Man Last in Everyday Life?," 28 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current
usage of the word 'grace.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-
Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of grace

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for grace

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin gratia favor, charm, thanks, from gratus pleasing, grateful;
akin to Sanskrit gṛṇāti he praises

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Resources for grace

Dictionary Entries near grace

grab skipper

grab (the) headlines

Gracchus

grace

Grace's warbler

grace-and-favor

grace cup

Phrases Related to grace

(there) but for the grace of God (go I)

airs and graces

grace with one's presence

in (someone's) good graces

in a state of grace

with bad/ill grace

with good grace

Statistics for grace

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Time Traveler for grace The first known use of grace was in the 12th century

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More Definitions for grace

grace noun

English Language Learners Definition of grace (Entry 1 of 2)

: a way of moving that is smooth and attractive and that is not stiff or awkward

: a controlled, polite, and pleasant way of behaving

: skills that are needed for behaving in a polite way in social situations

grace verb

English Language Learners Definition of grace (Entry 2 of 2)

formal : to decorate or add beauty to (something)

See the full definition for grace in the English Language Learners Dictionary

grace noun

\ ˈgrās \
Kids Definition of grace (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a short prayer at a meal

2 : beauty and ease of movement

3 : pleasant, controlled, and polite behavior

social graces

She handled the situation with grace.

4 : GOODWILL, FAVOR

They were saved by the grace of God.

5 : the condition of being in favor

He tried to get in their good graces.

grace verb

graced; gracing

Kids Definition of grace (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to do credit to : HONOR

Will you grace us with your presence?

2 : to make more attractive : ADORN

A fountain graces the garden.

grace noun

Legal Definition of grace

1 : a special favor : PRIVILEGE

considered by many authorities to be a matter of grace and not of right

— The Mentally Disabled and the Law

2a : a temporary exemption

b : the prerogative of mercy exercised (as by a chief executive) or granted in the form of equitable relief

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More from Merriam-Webster on grace

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with grace

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for grace

Spanish Central: Translation of grace

Nglish: Translation of grace for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of grace for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about grace

Comments on grace

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