GRACIOUS


Meaning of GRACIOUS in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈgrā-shəs ]

adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French gracieus, from Latin gratiosus enjoying favor, agreeable, from gratia

Date: 14th century

1.

a. obsolete : godly

b. archaic : pleasing , acceptable

2.

a. : marked by kindness and courtesy

a gracious host

b. : graceful

c. : marked by tact and delicacy : urbane

d. : characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit, and the tasteful leisure of wealth and good breeding

gracious living

3. : merciful , compassionate — used conventionally of royalty and high nobility

• gra·cious·ly adverb

• gra·cious·ness noun

Synonyms:

gracious , cordial , affable , genial , sociable mean markedly pleasant and easy in social intercourse. gracious implies courtesy and kindly consideration

the gracious award winner thanked her colleagues

cordial stresses warmth and heartiness

our host was cordial as he greeted us

affable implies easy approachability and readiness to respond pleasantly to conversation or requests or proposals

though wealthy, she was affable to all

genial stresses cheerfulness and even joviality

a genial companion with a ready quip

sociable suggests a genuine liking for the companionship of others

sociable people who enjoy entertaining

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.