gracious

views updated Jun 08 2018

gra·cious / ˈgrāshəs/ • adj. 1. courteous, kind, and pleasant: smiling and gracious in defeat. ∎  pleasantly indulgent, esp. toward an inferior. ∎  elegant and tasteful, esp. as exhibiting wealth or high social status: the British painter specialized in gracious Victorian interiors gracious living.2. (in Christian belief) showing divine grace: I am saved by God's gracious intervention on my behalf.3. Brit. a polite epithet used of royalty or their acts: the accession of Her present gracious Majesty.• interj. expressing polite surprise.DERIVATIVES: gra·cious·ly adv.gra·cious·ness n.