grace
Pluralgraces (some meanings)
Pluralgraces (some meanings)
- 1Kindness and help freely given by God, even though people have not earned it.
Like a gift you receive even though it is not your birthday.
Christians believe that grace comes from God as a free gift.
She prayed for the grace to forgive the people who hurt her.
UsageOften in by the grace of God or God's grace.
Note
- 2Charming, pleasing qualities that make someone or something nice to be around.
She has a warmth and grace that puts everyone at ease.
His easy grace made him welcome at any gathering.
UsageGrace is the quality. Social graces are good manners.
Similarcharm, elegance, dignity, graciousness
Note
- 3A smooth, beautiful way of moving the body.
Like a cat moving: smooth and never clumsy.
The dancer crossed the stage with such grace.
She lifted the fragile cup with surprising grace.
UsageSay someone moves with grace.
Similargracefulness, elegance, poise
Oppositeclumsiness, awkwardness
Note
- 4To make something more beautiful, for example as a decoration or with extra notes in music.
Fresh flowers grace the dining table every morning.
A large painting graced the wall above the fireplace.
UsageThe nice thing graces the place: flowers grace the table.
Similaradorn, decorate, embellish, ornament, beautify
Oppositedisfigure, mar, spoil, deface
Note
- 5
- 6A short prayer to say thank you before or after eating a meal.
Like saying thank you before opening a present, but for your food.
Grandpa always says grace before we start eating.
They bowed their heads to say a grace before dinner.
UsageSay say grace, with no a.
Similarblessing, thanksgiving, benediction
- 7Extra time to do something, such as pay a bill, before you get a penalty.
Like a teacher letting you hand in homework a few days late without trouble.
The bank gave her a few days' grace to make the late payment.
They allowed him some grace before charging extra fees.
UsageSay a few days' grace or a grace period.
Similarrespite, reprieve, leeway
Note
- 8A title for a duke, a duchess, or an archbishop, used after His, Her, or Your.
The butler bowed and said, "Your car is ready, Your Grace."
Her Grace the Duchess will open the new hospital wing tomorrow.
UsageSay Your Grace to the person, His Grace or Her Grace about them.
Note
- 9Mercy, forgiveness or patience shown to someone who has done wrong or made a mistake.
Note
Less common meanings
- 10Being kind and decent enough to act politely or do the right thing.
He at least had the grace to say sorry for being late.
When she lost, she had the grace to shake the winner's hand and smile.
UsageSay someone had the grace to say sorry.
Similardecency, courtesy, graciousness
Oppositerudeness, discourtesy
- 11A small extra note played quickly to decorate a tune.
Like adding a tiny curl of decoration to a letter.
The singer added a quick grace to the end of the phrase.
Fiddle players often add quick graces to old dance tunes.
Similarornament, embellishment, flourish
Note
- 12
- 13In the card game solitaire, a special move that the rules normally do not allow.
- 14A formal decision made by the leaders of an English university.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
It comes from Latin grātia, meaning 'kindness or favour', from grātus 'pleasing'. It reached English through Old French grace.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 4 facts
- English grace derives from Latin grātia. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin grātia means kindness or favour. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin grātia derives from grātus, meaning pleasing. en.wiktionary.org
- Grace reached English through Old French grace. en.wiktionary.org