Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense graces, present participle gracing, past tense, past participle graced
1. uncountable noun
If someone moves with grace, they move in a smooth, controlled, and attractive way.
He moved with the grace of a trained boxer.
Ballet classes are important for poise and grace.
Synonyms: elegance, finesse, poise, ease More Synonyms of grace
2. uncountable noun
If someone behaves with grace, they behave in a pleasant, polite, and dignified way, even when they are upset or being treated unfairly.
The new King seemed to be carrying out his duties with grace and due decorum.
The young woman had grace beyond her years.
3. plural noun [oft adjective NOUN]
The graces are the ways of behaving and doing things which are considered polite and well-mannered.
She didn't fit in and she had few social graces.
4. uncountable noun
Grace is used in expressions such as a day's grace and a month's grace to say that you are allowed that amount of extra time before you have to finish something.
She wanted a couple of days' grace to get the maisonette cleaned before she movedin.
We have only a few hours' grace before the soldiers come.
5. verb
If you say that something graces a place or a person, you mean that it makes them more attractive.
[formal]
He went to the beautiful old Welsh dresser that graced this homely room. [VERB noun]
Her shoulders were graced with mink and her fingers sparkled with diamonds. [beV-ed + with/by]
Synonyms: adorn, enhance, decorate, enrich More Synonyms of grace
6. verb
If you say that someone important will grace an event or an organization, you mean that they have agreed to be present at the event or to be part of the organization.
[formal]
He had been invited to grace a function at the evening college. [VERB noun]
7. uncountable noun
In Christianity and some other religions, grace is the kindness that God shows to people because he loves them.
It was only by the grace of God that no one died. [+ of]
Synonyms: benevolence, favour, goodness, goodwill More Synonyms of grace
8. variable noun
When someone says grace before or after a meal, they say a prayer in which they thank God for the food andask Him to bless it.
Leo, will you say grace?
...a Latin grace.
Synonyms: prayer, thanks, blessing, thanksgiving More Synonyms of grace
9. countable noun & proper noun
You use expressions such as Your Grace and Her Grace when you are addressing or referring to a duke, duchess, or archbishop.
Your Grace, I have a great favour to ask of you.
10. See also coup de grace, saving grace
11.
See to fall from grace
12.
See have the grace to do sth/have the good grace to do sth
13.
See there but for the grace of God go I
14.
See with good grace/with a good grace/with bad grace/with a bad grace
15.
See good graces
16. airs and graces
More Synonyms of grace
grace in British English
(ɡreɪs)
noun
1.
elegance and beauty of movement, form, expression, or proportion
2.
a pleasing or charming quality
3.
goodwill or favour
4.
the granting of a favour or the manifestation of goodwill, esp by a superior
5.
a sense of propriety and consideration for others
6. (plural)
a.
affectation of manner (esp in the phrase airs and graces)
b. in someone's good graces
7.
mercy; clemency
8. Christianity
a.
the free and unmerited favour of God shown towards humankind
b.
the divine assistance and power given to humankind in spiritual rebirth and sanctification
c.
the condition of being favoured or sanctified by God
d.
an unmerited gift, favour, etc, granted by God
9.
a short prayer recited before or after a meal to invoke a blessing upon the food or give thanks for it
10. music
a melodic ornament or decoration
11. days of grace
12. with bad grace
13. with good grace
verb
14. (transitive)
to add elegance and beauty to
flowers graced the room
15. (transitive)
to honour or favour
to grace a party with one's presence
16.
to ornament or decorate (a melody, part, etc) with nonessential notes
Word origin
C12: from Old French, from Latin grātia, from grātus pleasing
Grace in British English1
(ɡreɪs)
noun
(preceded byyour, his, or her)
a title used to address or refer to a duke, duchess, or archbishop
Grace in British English2
(ɡreɪs)
noun
W(illiam) G(ilbert). 1848–1915, English cricketer
Grace in American English
(greɪs)
noun
a feminine name: dim. Gracie
Word origin
see UNRESOLVED CROSS REF
grace in American English
(ɡreis) (verbgraced, gracing)
noun
1.
elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action
2.
a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment
3.
favor or good will
4.
a manifestation of favor, esp. by a superior
It was only through the dean's grace that I wasn't expelled from school
5.
mercy; clemency; pardon
an act of grace
6.
favor shown in granting a delay or temporary immunity
7.
an allowance of time after a debt or bill has become payable granted to the debtor before suit can be brought against him or her or a penalty applied
The life insurance premium is due today, but we have 31 days' grace before the policylapses
Compare grace period
8. Theology
a.
the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God
b.
the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them
c.
a virtue or excellence of divine origin
the Christian graces
d. Also called: state of grace
the condition of being in God's favor or one of the elect
9.
moral strength
the grace to perform a duty
10.
a short prayer before or after a meal, in which a blessing is asked and thanks aregiven
a formal title used in addressing or mentioning a duke, duchess, or archbishop, and formerly also a sovereign
12. See Graces
13. Music See grace note
14. See fall from grace
15. See have the grace to
16. See in someone's good graces
17. See with bad grace
18. See with good grace
transitive verb
19.
to lend or add grace to; adorn
Many fine paintings graced the rooms of the house
20.
to favor or honor
to grace an occasion with one's presence
Derived forms
gracelike
adjective
Word origin
[1125–75; ME ‹ OF ‹ L grātia favor, kindness, esteem, deriv. of grātus pleasing]
More idioms containing
grace
a saving grace
fall from grace
Examples of 'grace' in a sentence
grace
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me.
O'Connor, Joe DESPERADOES (2001)
The effect had all the grace of two shoppers trying to shove past each other in the checkout line.
Terman, Douglas CORMORANT (2001)
Quotations
Some hae meat and canna eat, Some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat, and we can eat, Sae let the Lord be thankitattributed to Robert BurnsThe Selkirk Grace
In other languages
grace
British English: grace NOUN
If someone moves with grace, they move in a smooth, controlled, and attractive way.
He moved with the grace of a trained boxer.
American English: grace
Brazilian Portuguese: graça
Chinese: 优美
European Spanish: gracia
French: grâce
German: Eleganz
Italian: grazia
Japanese: 優雅さ
Korean: 우아함
European Portuguese: graça
Latin American Spanish: gracia
British English: grace VERB
If you say that something graces a place or a person, you mean that it makes them more attractive.
He went to the beautiful old dresser that graced this homely room.
American English: grace
Brazilian Portuguese: honrar
Chinese: 使…增光
European Spanish: adornar
French: orner
German: zieren
Italian: abbellire
Japanese: 引き立てる
Korean: 아름답게 꾸미다
European Portuguese: honrar
Latin American Spanish: adornar
All related terms of 'grace'
grace cup
a cup , as of wine , passed around at the end of the meal for the final toast
grace note
a note printed in small type to indicate that it is melodically and harmonically nonessential
grace period
a period of time allowed before something has to be finished or before a debt or loan has to be repaid
saving grace
A saving grace is a good quality or feature in a person or thing that prevents them from being completely bad or worthless.
a saving grace
a good quality or feature in someone or something that prevents them from being completely bad or worthless
coup de grâce
A coup de grace is an action or event which finally destroys something, for example an institution , which has been gradually growing weaker .
coups de grâce
a mortal or finishing blow, esp one delivered as an act of mercy to a sufferer
days of grace
days permitted by custom for payment of a promissory note, bill of exchange , etc, after it falls due
herb of grace
any rutaceous plant of the genus Ruta , esp R. graveolens , an aromatic Eurasian shrub with small yellow flowers and evergreen leaves which yield an acrid volatile oil, formerly used medicinally as a narcotic and stimulant
state of grace
grace (sense 8d )
with bad grace
unwillingly or grudgingly
year of grace
any year of the Christian era , as dated from the presumed date of Christ's birth
fall from grace
to have made a mistake or done something wrong or immoral , and as a result, to have lost power or influence and spoiled your good reputation
grace-and-favour
(of a house, flat, etc) owned by the sovereign and granted free of rent to a person to whom the sovereign wishes to express gratitude
with good grace
willingly or cheerfully
have the grace to
to be so kind as to
Pilgrimage of Grace
a rebellion in 1536 in N England against the Reformation and Henry VIII's government
to fall from grace
If someone falls from grace , they suddenly stop being successful or popular.
there but for the grace of God go I
If you are talking about someone who is in a bad situation and you say ' There but for the grace of God go I ', you mean that you are lucky not to be in the same situation as them and you feel sympathy for them.
with good grace/with a good grace/with bad grace/with a bad grace
If you do something unpleasant with good grace or with a good grace , you do it cheerfully and without complaining . If you do something with bad grace or with a bad grace , you do it unwillingly and without enthusiasm .
have the grace to do sth/have the good grace to do sth
If someone has the good grace to do something, they are polite enough or honest enough to do it.
Chinese translation of 'grace'
grace
(ɡreɪs)
n(u)
(= gracefulness) 优(優)雅 (yōuyǎ)
(= dignified behaviour) 体(體)面 (tǐmiàn)
vt
(= adorn) 使增光 (shǐ zēngguāng)
his fall from grace他的不得势(勢) (tā de bù déshì)
to fall from grace不得势(勢) (bù déshì)
5 days' grace5天的宽(寬)限 (wǔ tiān de kuānxiàn)
with (a) good/bad grace欣然地/勉强(強)地 (xīnrán de/miǎnqiǎng de)
to say grace谢(謝)恩祈祷(禱) (xiè'ēn qídǎo)
All related terms of 'grace'
5 days' grace
5天的宽(寬)限 wǔ tiān de kuānxiàn
to say grace
谢(謝)恩祈祷(禱) xiè'ēn qídǎo
his fall from grace
他的不得势(勢) tā de bù déshì
to fall from grace
不得势(勢) bù déshì
with (a) good/bad grace
欣然地/勉强(強)地 xīnrán de/miǎnqiǎng de
1 (noun)
Definition
elegance and beauty of movement, form, or expression
He moved with the grace of a trained dancer.
Synonyms
elegance
Princess Grace's understated elegance
finesse
poise
Ballet classes are important for poise.
ease
Co-stars particularly appreciate his ease on the set.
polish
She was enormously popular for her charm and polish.
refinement
a girl who possessed both dignity and refinement
fluency
suppleness
gracefulness
Opposites
stiffness
,
ugliness
,
awkwardness
,
clumsiness
,
tastelessness
,
inelegance
,
ungainliness
2 (noun)
Definition
courtesy or decency
She hadn't even the grace to apologize for what she'd done.
Synonyms
manners
decency
His sense of decency forced him to resign.
cultivation
She was a woman of cultivation and scholarship.
etiquette
a breach of the rules of diplomatic etiquette
breeding
She lost her temper completely and the veneer of good breeding dropped from her.
consideration
propriety
Their sense of social propriety is eroded.
tact
Her tact and intuition never failed.
decorum
I was treated with decorum and respect
mannerliness
Opposites
bad manners,
tactlessness
3 (noun)
Definition
a delay granted for the completion of a task or payment of a debt
He was granted four days' grace to be with his family.
Synonyms
indulgence
mercy
Neither side showed its prisoners any mercy.
pardon
He asked God's pardon for his sins.
compassion
They preach universal kindness and compassion.
quarter
It is brutal work, with no quarter given.
charity
He had no sense of right and wrong, no charity, no humanity.
forgiveness
I offered up a prayer for forgiveness.
reprieve
clemency
The prisoners' pleas for clemency were turned down.
leniency
The judge rejected pleas for leniency.
lenity
4 (noun)
Definition
the free and unmerited favour of God shown towards humankind
It was only by the grace of God that no one died.
Synonyms
benevolence
A bit of benevolence from people in power is not what we need.
favour
goodness
performing actions of goodness towards the poor
goodwill
I invited them to dinner as a gesture of goodwill.
generosity
her moral decency and generosity of spirit
kindness
We have been treated with such kindness by everybody.
beneficence
kindliness
His kindliness and warmth made him particularly effective with staff welfare.
benefaction
Opposites
ill will
5 (noun)
Definition
a short prayer of thanks for a meal
Leo, will you say grace?
Synonyms
prayer
thanks
blessing
He said the blessing after taking the bread.
thanksgiving
benediction
The minister pronounced the benediction.
6 (noun)
The reasons for his fall from grace are not clear.
Synonyms
favour
They viewed him with favour.
regard
I have a very high regard for him and what he has achieved.
respect
I have tremendous respect for him.
approval
an obsessive drive to win public approval
esteem
He is held in high esteem by his colleagues.
approbation
The result has not met with universal approbation.
good opinion
Opposites
disfavour
7 (noun)
Definition
elegance and beauty of movement, form, or expression
Synonyms
beauty
an area of outstanding natural beauty
charm
attractiveness
Physical attractiveness can play a major part in how we react to people.
loveliness
pleasantness
tastefulness
shapeliness
comeliness
1 (verb)
Definition
to decorate or make more attractive
the beautiful old Welsh dresser that graced this homely room
Synonyms
adorn
Several oil paintings adorn the walls.
enhance
decorate
He decorated the box with glitter and ribbons.
enrich
set off
garnish
She had prepared the vegetables and was garnishing the roast.
ornament
The Egyptians ornamented their mirrors with carved handles of ivory, gold, or wood.
deck
The house was decked with flowers.
embellish
The boat was embellished with red and blue carvings.
bedeck
Flags bedeck the balcony.
beautify
Claire worked to beautify the garden.
2 (verb)
Definition
to honour or favour
He graced our ceremony with his distinguished presence.
Synonyms
honour
The Romans honoured their ancestors with statues and processions.
favour
distinguish
elevate
dignify
I see no point in dignifying this kind of speculation with a response.
glorify
We are committed to serving the Lord and glorifying his name.
Opposites
ruin
, insult,
spoil
,
desecrate
,
dishonour
Quotation
Some hae meat and canna eat, Some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat, and we can eat, Sae let the Lord be thankit [attributed to Robert Burns – The Selkirk Grace]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of approbation
Definition
approval
The result has not met with universal approbation.
Synonyms
approval,
support,
favour,
praise,
sanction,
recognition,
acceptance,
acclaim,
encouragement,
applause,
endorsement,
ratification,
assent,
congratulation,
commendation,
laudation
in the sense of approval
an obsessive drive to win public approval
Synonyms
favour,
liking,
regard,
respect,
praise,
esteem,
acclaim,
appreciation,
encouragement,
admiration,
applause,
commendation,
approbation,
good opinion,
Brownie points
in the sense of attractiveness
Physical attractiveness can play a major part in how we react to people.