gracious
/ˈɡreɪʃəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡreɪʃəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgrā-shəs/ (ame, mw) · /ˈɡreɪ.ʃəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡreɪ.ʃəs/ (ame, ipa)
gracious — adjective
- graciouspositive
- more graciouscomparative
- most gracioussuperlative
1. treating other people with warmth and good manners, especially by staying calm,
treating other people with warmth and good manners, especially by staying calm, friendly, and patient even when it would be easy not to.
Yasmin was gracious to every guest at her grandmother's birthday party, even the ones who arrived late.
gracious to + person
The librarian gave a gracious smile to the children who had spilled juice on the carpet.
gracious + noun (smile / nod / reply)
After losing the final, Felipe was gracious in defeat and shook the winner's hand.
It was gracious of Kian to drive my parents to the airport at five in the morning.
Mr. Okafor thanked the waiter with a gracious nod and a quiet word of praise.
- rude
direct opposite in everyday speech.
- ungracious
the formal opposite, often used of unkind behaviour after winning or receiving help.
文法句型
gracious to + person
gracious in + noun/-ing
用法筆記
Often describes how someone behaves in a small but visible moment — a smile, a reply, a thank-you — rather than a long-term personality trait. Frequently paired with 'in defeat', 'in victory', 'in accepting', or 'enough to'.
常見錯誤
2. describing a home or style of living that feels comfortable, elegant, and unhurr
describing a home or style of living that feels comfortable, elegant, and unhurried because the people involved have plenty of money — for example, a large house with a garden, fine china at dinner, and live-in staff.
The old farmhouse offered gracious country living, with wide porches and a long wooden table.
gracious living / gracious country living
Mira grew up in a gracious old townhouse full of books and antique furniture.
gracious surroundings / home / mansion
The hotel promised a gracious lifestyle of long lunches, sea views, and afternoon tea.
Inside the embassy, gracious rooms with tall windows opened onto a quiet garden.
文法句型
gracious + noun (living / home / lifestyle)
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun (gracious home, gracious living), not after 'be'. Carries an old-fashioned, slightly romantic flavour — think of magazine descriptions of country estates, historic hotels, or upper-class lifestyles, not modern city apartments.
常見錯誤
3. showing kindness and willingness to forgive when one has the power to punish ins
showing kindness and willingness to forgive when one has the power to punish instead — typically said of God, but also of a king, judge, or other powerful person who chooses to be gentle.
The old hymn praises a gracious God who forgives those who turn back to him.
gracious + God / Lord / Father
The young queen was gracious to the rebels and pardoned every one of them.
gracious to + the people being forgiven
Gita wept and thanked the gracious king who had spared her brother's life.
Each evening, Aaron knelt by his bed and prayed to a gracious God for his sick mother.
- merciful
very close; both stress forgiveness despite the power to punish.
- compassionate
general kindness toward suffering; less tied to power and forgiveness.
- benevolent
wishing good to others; broader than gracious-as-merciful.
文法句型
gracious + noun (God / Lord / king)
用法筆記
Strongly religious flavour: most learners meet this sense first in hymns, prayers, and older speeches. Subject is normally God, a deity, or a powerful human figure (king, queen, victor) — not an ordinary person. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 is everyday warmth; sense 3 is mercy from above.
4. a respectful word placed before a royal title or a royal person's actions, the w
a respectful word placed before a royal title or a royal person's actions, the way 'His/Her Majesty' is used — for example, 'her gracious speech' for a queen's speech to parliament.
The minister bowed before reading out Her Gracious Majesty's message to the troops.
Her / His Gracious Majesty
Crowds gathered outside the palace to hear the king's gracious speech at the opening of parliament.
gracious speech / address / pardon
By gracious permission of the queen, the regiment was allowed to march through the city.
Engraved on the medal were the words: 'Awarded by gracious command of the late emperor.'
文法句型
gracious + royal title / royal action
用法筆記
Only used before a noun and almost only in royal, ceremonial, or historical writing — news reports about parliament, official letters, military citations. Learners are far more likely to read this sense than to produce it. Distinguish from sense 3: sense 3 says the ruler is being kind; sense 4 is simply a respectful label, like a title.
gracious — exclamation
1. a short, slightly old-fashioned cry that you let out when something surprises yo
a short, slightly old-fashioned cry that you let out when something surprises you — similar to 'My goodness!' — often heard from older British speakers or in stories.
Gracious! I had no idea Hugo could already play the violin so well.
Gracious! at the start of a surprised reaction
Good gracious, Nadia, who left all these muddy boots by the front door?
Good gracious — slightly stronger surprise
'Gracious me!' Élise gasped as she lifted the brass lamp off the shelf.
The grandmother said 'Gracious!' and clutched her pearls when the cat jumped onto the table.
文法句型
Gracious!
Good gracious!
Gracious me!
用法筆記
Polite and slightly dated — speakers use it to avoid swear words. More common in British English and in writing than in modern American conversation. Often stretched with 'good' or 'me' for stronger surprise. A learner will almost always read this rather than say it.