Graceful
ˈɡreɪsfəl
Definitions
2 meaningsHaving or showing elegance of form, movement, or manner.
ˈɡreɪsfəl
Exhibiting elegance or beauty of movement, form, or manner.
The cat moved with graceful ease.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone moving like a dancer or a cat—smooth, elegant, and pleasing to watch. It’s like they have a special kind of beauty in how they act or move.
👶 For kids: Being pretty and smooth like a dancer when they move or when something looks beautiful.
More Examples
Her graceful acceptance of the award impressed everyone.
The dancer was admired for her graceful performance.
How It's Used
"The ballerina's movements were graceful and fluid."
"The sculpture depicted a graceful figure in bronze."
"She handled the difficult situation in a graceful manner."
Showing kindness and courtesy; characterized by tact.
ˈɡreɪsfəl
Characterized by tact, courtesy, or kindness.
He made a graceful exit from the party.
💡 Simply: It's also used to describe someone who's polite and kind, even when things are tough. Like, if someone messes up, a graceful person would apologize nicely and make things better.
👶 For kids: Being polite and kind, even when things are not going well.
More Examples
Her graceful acceptance of defeat showed maturity.
She handled the criticism with a graceful response.
How It's Used
"He offered a graceful apology for his mistake."
"She was graceful under pressure and found a diplomatic solution."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
Grace under pressure
Maintaining composure and behaving gracefully in stressful situations.
"Despite the chaos, she showed grace under pressure and completed the task."
A graceful exit
Leaving a place or situation in a polite and dignified manner.
"After realizing she had made a mistake, she made a graceful exit from the discussion."
From Middle English *graceful*, equivalent to *grace* + *-ful*. *Grace* comes from Old French *grace* and Latin *gratia*, meaning 'favor, thanks, grace'.
The term 'graceful' has been used since the 14th century, reflecting the importance placed on elegance and courtesy in behavior and appearance.
Memory tip
Think of a swan gliding effortlessly across a lake – graceful!
Word Origin
"pleasing, agreeable"