grace
grays
Grace (noun) means Smooth, elegant movement or manner. Example: “The dancer moved across the stage with remarkable grace.”
noun
1
Smooth, elegant movement or manner.
"The dancer moved across the stage with remarkable grace."
"The cat jumped onto the shelf with effortless grace."
"She handled the awkward question with great grace and good humour."
2
A short prayer of thanks said before or after a meal.
"Grandpa always says grace before Sunday dinner."
"Before we ate, the youngest child was asked to say grace."
"They bowed their heads while the vicar said grace over the soup."
3
A short extra period of time allowed before a deadline or obligation takes effect.
"The bank gives you a 30-day grace period before charging late fees."
"The landlord gave us a week's grace to pay the rent."
"Late entries are accepted during a short grace period after the closing time."
4
Unearned kindness or favor, especially divine mercy in religious contexts.
"She spoke of God's grace helping her through the illness."
"The hymn gives thanks for grace that is freely given to all."
"Many believers say it is only by grace that they were forgiven."
verb
1
To add elegance or honor to something by one's presence or by decorating it.
"A stunning chandelier graced the ballroom ceiling."
"The mayor graced the opening with a short speech."
"A single red rose graced the table in the centre of the room."
How to use grace
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishElegant movement, a thank-you prayer, an extension before a deadline, or unearned kindness/favor.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "grace period" (extra allowed time) with simply "leniency" — a grace period is usually a formally set window, not just informal forgiveness.
Common pairings
say grace
grace period
fall from grace
with grace and dignity
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Word forms
- Plural
- graces
- Third person singular
- graces
- Past tense
- graced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dancer moved across the stage with remarkable _____.
Etymology
From Old French grace, from Latin gratia, "favor" or "charm", related to gratus, "pleasing" — the same root as "grateful" and "gratitude".
Synonyms
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elegance
poise
gracefulness
fluidity
finesse
refinement
smoothness
blessing
goodwill
gracility
seemliness
adorn
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for grace
See all rhymes for grace →Frequently asked questions
What does “grace” mean?
The word “grace” means smooth, elegant movement or manner. In plain terms, elegant movement, a thank-you prayer, an extension before a deadline, or unearned kindness/favor.
How do you pronounce “grace”?
“Grace” is pronounced grays (/ɡɹeɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “grace” in a sentence?
Here is “grace” used in a sentence: “The dancer moved across the stage with remarkable grace.”
What is another word for “grace”?
Words with a similar meaning to “grace” include mense.
What part of speech is “grace”?
Depending on how it is used, “grace” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “grace” come from?
The word “grace” comes from Latin. From Old French grace, from Latin gratia, "favor" or "charm", related to gratus, "pleasing" — the same root as "grateful" and "gratitude".
Is “grace” a common word?
“Grace” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “grace” have?
“Grace” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: smooth, elegant movement or manner.
What is the difference between grace and elegance?
The two overlap and are often used together. Grace refers mainly to smooth, flowing, effortless movement — the way someone moves through space. Elegance is broader, describing refined, tasteful style in movement, dress, or design. A dancer can move with grace; their whole look and manner can be described as elegant.
Can grace be learned or taught?
Yes. While some people seem naturally graceful, poise and smooth movement can be developed through practice. Disciplines such as dance, ballet, yoga, martial arts, and posture training all cultivate balance, control, and fluid motion. Over time, awkward or stiff movement can become noticeably more relaxed, coordinated, and elegant.
Is grace a positive word?
Very much so. In the sense of movement and manner, grace is entirely complimentary, suggesting beauty, ease, and control. Describing someone as graceful is high praise. The word also carries positive meanings elsewhere — kindness, forgiveness, and a short prayer before a meal — but the shared thread is something admirable and dignified.
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