# gracious

/ˈɡɹeɪʃəs/ (US) · /ɡɹˈeɪʃəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gracious
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. kind and polite

adjective · CEFR B2

behaving in a kind, polite, and pleasant way towards others.

For teachers: characterised by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit, especially toward those of lower social standing or in difficult situations.

- The host was very gracious and made sure everyone felt welcome at the party.
- Despite the aggressive questioning from the press, the minister remained gracious and answered every query with calm professionalism.

### 2. elegant or comfortable

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

having the qualities of a high-quality, elegant, and comfortable life.

For teachers: relating to a style of life characterised by elegance, luxury, and good taste.

- They enjoyed a few days of gracious living in a beautiful old hotel by the sea.
- The estate was designed for gracious entertaining, featuring expansive gardens and a dining hall that could seat fifty guests.

### 3. forgiving in defeat

adjective · CEFR B2

being kind and polite even when you lose or when someone is wrong.

For teachers: showing magnanimity and a lack of resentment, particularly when conceding a loss or accepting an apology.

- He was gracious in defeat, shaking hands with the winner and offering his congratulations.
- It is rare to find a politician so gracious in victory that they go out of their way to praise their opponent's hard work.

## Examples

- She was very gracious when she accepted the second-place prize.
- The host was gracious enough to ignore the guest's accidental spill and continued the conversation smoothly.
- Even after the heated debate, the senator remained gracious toward her opponent, demonstrating a level of professional decorum that is increasingly rare in modern politics.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.