grace

¹

[greys]

noun

1. elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action.

   We watched her skate with effortless grace across the ice.

   Synonyms: class, refinement, charm, attractiveness

2. a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment.

   He lacked the manly graces.

3. favor or goodwill.

   Synonyms: benevolence, benignity, love, kindliness, kindness

4. a manifestation of favor, especially by a superior.

   It was only through the dean's grace that I wasn't expelled from school.

   Synonyms: charity, forgiveness
   Antonyms: disfavor, enmity, animosity

5. mercy; clemency; pardon.

   He was saved by an act of grace from the governor.

   Synonyms: reprieve, leniency, leniency, lenity, lenity

6. favor shown in granting a delay or temporary immunity.

7. an allowance of time after a debt or bill has become payable granted to the debtor before suit can be brought against them or a penalty applied.

   The life insurance premium is due today, but we have 31 days' grace before the policy lapses.

8. Theology.

   1. the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.

   2. the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.

   3. a virtue or excellence of divine origin.

      the Christian graces.

   4. Also called state of grace. the condition of being in God's favor or one of the elect.

9. moral strength.

   the grace to perform a duty.

10. a short prayer before or after a meal, in which a blessing is asked and thanks are given.

    Grandfather will now say grace.

11. Usually Grace a formal title used in addressing or mentioning a duke, duchess, or archbishop, and formerly also a sovereign (usually preceded by your, his, etc.).

12. Classical Mythology.,  Graces, the goddesses of beauty, daughters of Zeus and Eurynome, worshiped in Greece as the Charities and in Rome as the Gratiae.

13. Music.,  grace note.

verb (used with object)

graced, gracing 

1. to lend or add grace to; adorn.

   Many fine paintings graced the rooms of the house.

   Synonyms: enhance, ornament, decorate, deck, beautify, embellish
   Antonyms: demean, desecrate, disfigure

2. to favor or honor.

   to grace an occasion with one's presence.

   Synonyms: exalt, elevate, glorify
   Antonyms: dishonor, disrespect

Grace

²

[greys]

noun

1. William Russell, 1832–1904, U.S. financier and shipping magnate, born in Ireland: mayor of New York City 1880–88.

2. a female given name.

grace

¹

/ ɡreɪs /

noun

1. elegance and beauty of movement, form, expression, or proportion

2. a pleasing or charming quality

3. goodwill or favour

4. the granting of a favour or the manifestation of goodwill, esp by a superior

5. a sense of propriety and consideration for others

6. (plural)

   1. affectation of manner (esp in the phrase airs and graces )

   2. regarded favourably and with kindness by someone

7. mercy; clemency

8. Christianity

   1. the free and unmerited favour of God shown towards man

   2. the divine assistance and power given to man in spiritual rebirth and sanctification

   3. the condition of being favoured or sanctified by God

   4. an unmerited gift, favour, etc, granted by God

9. a short prayer recited before or after a meal to invoke a blessing upon the food or give thanks for it

10. music a melodic ornament or decoration

11. See days of grace

12. unwillingly or grudgingly

13. willingly or cheerfully

verb

1. (tr) to add elegance and beauty to

   flowers graced the room

2. (tr) to honour or favour

   to grace a party with one's presence

3. to ornament or decorate (a melody, part, etc) with nonessential notes

Grace

²

/ ɡreɪs /

noun

1. a title used to address or refer to a duke, duchess, or archbishop

Grace

³

/ ɡreɪs /

noun

1. W ( illiam ) G ( ilbert ). 1848–1915, English cricketer

Other Word Forms

• gracelike adjective
• ungraced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of grace¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin grātia “favor, kindness, esteem,” derivative of grātus “pleasing”

Word History and Origins

Origin of grace¹

C12: from Old French, from Latin grātia, from grātus pleasing

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. fall from grace,

   1. Theology. to relapse into sin or disfavor.

   2. to lose favor; be discredited.

      He fell from grace when the boss found out he had lied.

2. but for the grace of God, under less fortunate circumstances.

   But for the grace of God, the brick that just fell from the roof would have hit me on the head!

3. with good grace, willingly; ungrudgingly.

   She took on the extra work with good grace.

4. with bad grace, reluctantly; grudgingly: Also with a bad grace.

   He apologized, but did so with bad grace.

5. have the grace to, to be so kind as to.

   Would you have the grace to help, please?

6. by the grace of God, thankfully; fortunately.

   By the grace of God, I won't have to deal with tax returns for another year.

7. in someone's good / bad graces, regarded with favor (or disfavor) by someone.

   It is a wonder that I have managed to stay in her good graces this long.

see fall from grace; in someone's bad graces; in someone's good graces; saving grace; say grace; there but for the grace of god; with good grace.

Example Sentences

Manchester United and England midfielder Grace Clinton is closing in on a move to Manchester City before Thursday's transfer deadline.

From BBC

Mum, Nikki, from Guernsey, said the cost of living and specific school uniform requirements for children, James, 10, Henry, 11, Grace, 14, and Olivia, 16, had meant they felt the financial pinch this year.

From BBC

Grace Moore ably filled Wafer's shoes against Spain, scoring two tries and making 14 tackles in an all-round powerful display.

From BBC

Bondi responded by firing Grace and naming Habba acting U.S. attorney, sparking confusion over who actually held the post and all but paralyzing the federal criminal court system in the Garden State.

From Los Angeles Times

Her mother, Mary Grace Westman, previously worked at the school, and has so far not responded to law enforcement's attempts to contact her.

From BBC

Related Words

• agility 
• beauty 
• decency 
• decorum 
• dexterity 
• dignity 
• ease 
• elegance 
• finesse 
• poise 
• refinement 
• style