graceless

/ˈɡreɪsləs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡreɪsləs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgrās-ləs/ (ame, mw)

graceless — 形容詞

  • gracelesspositive
  • more gracelesscomparative
  • most gracelesssuperlative

1. having little or no beauty; unpleasing in appearance, especially because of plai

1.形容詞B2
釋義

難看

外表不吸引人的

having little or no beauty; unpleasing in appearance, especially because of plain, dull, or awkward features

例句

The old building was graceless and ugly, with square concrete walls and tiny windows.

那棟舊建築既難看又醜陋，只有方正的水泥牆和小窗戶。

collocation: graceless building / graceless design

Kaya thought the new sofa was graceless, but she said nothing to hurt her sister's feelings.

Kaya 覺得那張新沙發很難看，但她沒說出來，以免傷了妹妹的心。

同義詞
  • ugly

    more direct and common; can be offensive

  • unattractive

    neutral, less harsh than 'ugly'

  • plain

    simple and ordinary, not necessarily negative

反義詞

用法筆記

This sense is less common than 'ugly' or 'unattractive' and carries a slightly more formal or literary tone. It often describes man-made objects or structures rather than people.

常見錯誤

❌The house was graceless and old.
✅The house was ugly and old.
💡For everyday conversation about appearance, 'ugly' or 'unattractive' is more natural than 'graceless'.

2. behaving or speaking in a way that shows a lack of politeness, respect, or consi

2.形容詞B2
釋義

粗魯

對他人不禮貌或不體貼的

behaving or speaking in a way that shows a lack of politeness, respect, or consideration for how other people feel

例句

His graceless comments about her cooking made everyone at the table uncomfortable.

他對她的廚藝說出粗魯的評論，讓餐桌上的每個人都很不自在。

graceless + noun (comments, remark, behaviour) describing rudeness

Kwame was shocked by the graceless way his colleague spoke to the elderly customer.

Kwame 對於同事對那位老年顧客說話的粗魯態度感到震驚。

同義詞
  • rude

    more common and direct; stronger negative judgement

  • impolite

    milder and more formal

  • tactless

    focuses on saying the wrong thing without meaning to hurt

反義詞

文法句型

it + be + graceless + of + person + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Often describes a specific action or remark rather than a person's permanent character. You would say 'a graceless remark' but rarely 'a graceless person' — for describing character, 'rude' or 'tactless' is more natural.

常見錯誤

❌He is a graceless man.
✅He made a graceless remark.
💡'Graceless' usually describes a specific action or comment, not a person as a whole.

3. having body movements that are stiff, awkward, or lacking in natural smoothness

3.形容詞B2
釋義

笨拙

動作不自然不流暢的

having body movements that are stiff, awkward, or lacking in natural smoothness and ease

例句

The teenager's graceless walk across the stage made the audience smile gently.

那位青少年笨拙地走過舞台，觀眾們露出了溫柔的微笑。

graceless + movement noun (walk, dance, gesture)

Zuri attempted a dance move but it came out graceless and clumsy.

Zuri 嘗試做一個舞蹈動作，但結果既笨拙又不優雅。

同義詞
  • clumsy

    more common; can describe both movement and mistakes

  • awkward

    broad meaning; also describes social discomfort

  • ungainly

    specifically about movement being unsteady or inelegant

反義詞
  • graceful

    direct opposite; smooth and elegant in movement

  • smooth

    fluid and easy movement

用法筆記

Describes physical movement or bodily actions. The adverbial form 'gracelessly' is also common: 'She moved gracelessly across the room.'

常見錯誤

❌He made a graceless mistake in his report.
✅He made a clumsy mistake in his report.
💡This sense only describes physical movement, not errors or mistakes.