ˈgrāshəs adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French gracieus, from Latin gratiosus enjoying favor, beloved, agreeable, from gratia favor, grace + -osus -ous — more at grace
1.
a. obsolete : marked by or having divine grace : pious , godly
b. archaic : finding grace or favor : acceptable
but is he gracious in the people's eye — Shakespeare
2. : marked by an attractive or pleasing character or appearance : characterized by grace in quality, traits, or nature: as
a. : marked by kindness and courtesy : markedly considerate of another's feelings or predilections
a gracious and complimentary letter, encouraging him to continue his correspondence — W.M.Thackeray
b. : graceful
the gracious sweep of fields shaded by stately elms — American Guide Series: Vermont
the gracious and comely form he had so skillfully mirrored in his art — Oscar Wilde
c. : marked by tact and delicacy in performance or execution : urbane
no more gracious yet telling caricature of the faults of a society — G.F.Kennan
for austere and gracious allegory … the world is indebted to Spain — Helen Waddell
d.
(1) : characterized by ease, good taste, and generosity of spirit and belonging to or suggesting the peace and tasteful leisure of wealth and good breeding
a gracious and beautiful life for all who love peace and reflection, strength and youth — A.C.Benson
(2) : befitting or associated with a life characterized in this way
hansom cabs, gracious relics of a more leisurely epoch — American Guide Series: New York City
a gracious plantation home
(3) : artistically and especially architecturally attractive in a way associated with a life or culture characterized in this way
gracious with carved interior cornices, mantelpieces, and dadoes — Bernard DeVoto
3. : abounding in grace or mercy : characterized by marked beneficence : merciful , compassionate
after the insults and bad treatment of his former employer he was glad to find so gracious a master
— often and especially formerly used as a customary and courteous epithet
asked if the gracious gentleman felt well — Guy McCrone
especially to royalty or those high in the scale of nobility
His Most Gracious Majesty, the King
my gracious lord, the Duke of Windsor
4. obsolete : lucky , fortunate , happy
Synonyms:
cordial , affable , genial , sociable : gracious may apply to a pleasing, benign, or endearing kindliness and courtesy, especially to inferiors
seemed gratified by their excessive admiration, and gave most gracious smiles — Jane Austen
gracious to everyone, but known to a very few — Willa Cather
cordial applies to hearty and sincere friendliness or, occas., to other deeply felt emotions
the director was as cordial to the insignificant Martin Arrowsmith as though Martin were a visiting senator. He shook his hand warmly; he unbent in a smile — Sinclair Lewis
we were friends in public, and saluted each other in the most cordial and charming manner — W.M.Thackeray
affable applies to a smooth, benign approachability and ready friendliness and responsiveness
don't find … that his wealth has made him arrogant and inaccessible; on the contrary he takes great pains to appear affable and gracious — Tobias Smollett
easy of approach and affable in conversation. They seldom put on airs — W.S.Maugham
genial applies to blended cheer, warmth, and friendliness or other characteristics making one a good companion
genial clergy of ample girth, stuffed with the buttered toast of a rectory tea — S.B.Leacock
that atmosphere of peace and leisure which made his companionship so genial — L.P.Smith
his face softened visibly, he became more and more genial and loquacious — W.H.Hudson †1922
sociable applies to pleasure in social relationships and implies friendliness and readiness at pleasant conversation
was genial and sociable, approachable at all times, and fond of social intercourse — J.S.Reeves
a very sociable fellow, prone to talk as long as he can find a listener — Jack London