Grace: meaning, definitions and examples

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grace

 

[ ɡreɪs ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

beauty

Grace is the elegant and smooth way that someone moves or behaves, which shows beauty and dignity.

Synonyms

elegance, gracefulness, poise.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
grace

Usually used to describe someone's smooth, controlled movements or polite behavior. It can also refer to divine favor.

  • She moved with such grace during her ballet performance
  • They handled the difficult situation with grace
elegance

Often associated with style and sophistication in appearance and manners. It can describe people, objects, or places.

  • Her outfit exuded elegance at the gala
  • The room was decorated with an elegance that impressed everyone
poise

Refers to composure and self-assuredness, especially in difficult situations. It also relates to good manners and being unflustered.

  • She maintained her poise even under intense questioning
  • His poise in public speaking made him a great leader
gracefulness

Focuses more on the beauty of movement and form, often used with dancers or athletes.

  • The gymnast's routine was performed with incredible gracefulness
  • Observing the swans on the lake, one couldn't help but notice their gracefulness

Examples of usage

  • She danced with such grace and poise.
  • The swan glided across the lake with grace and ease.
Context #2 | Noun

spiritual

Grace is the unmerited favor and love of God towards humanity, often seen as a blessing or divine assistance.

Synonyms

blessing, divine love, mercy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
grace

Typically used to describe elegance, kindness, or unearned favor received. It is often used in religious and social contexts to refer to a smooth and pleasing way of moving or a characteristic of presenting oneself.

  • She moved with such grace during the dance recital.
  • It was by his grace that we were able to finish the project on time.
blessing

Refers to a beneficial thing for which one is grateful; a prayer asking for divine favor and protection. It is often used in religious contexts but can also be used generally to describe something good that happens.

  • Getting that job was a true blessing.
  • Let's say a blessing before we eat.
mercy

Refers to compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. Often used in legal, religious, or moral contexts, typically to describe leniency.

  • She pleaded for mercy when she realized her mistake.
  • The judge showed mercy and gave him a reduced sentence.
divine love

Specifically refers to love that comes from a divine being, such as God. It is often used in religious texts and discussions to describe the pure and unconditional love that a deity has for humans.

  • Many people find comfort in the idea of divine love.
  • Her faith in divine love gave her strength through tough times.

Examples of usage

  • By the grace of God, we were saved.
  • She felt the grace of God in her life.
Context #3 | Verb

movement

To grace something means to add beauty or elegance to it.

Synonyms

adorn, decorate, embellish.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
grace

Employ this word when speaking about giving something beauty or elegance, often in a more abstract or refined way. It suggests elegance and poise.

  • She graced the stage with her presence, captivating the audience.
  • His words were graced with wisdom and kindness.
adorn

{"word":"adorn","context":"Use this word to describe the act of adding something decorative or attractive to enhance beauty. It often implies adding ornaments or decorations.","examples":["She adorned the room with beautiful flowers for the celebration.","The walls were adorned with paintings and photographs."]}

decorate

Utilize this word when referring to the act of making something look more attractive by adding items. Commonly used in contexts like interior design or holiday preparations.

  • We decorated the Christmas tree with lights and ornaments.
  • He decorated his new apartment with modern furniture and art.
embellish

This word often means to add decorative details, sometimes with a sense of exaggeration or making something more interesting, but can have a negative connotation when it implies making something overly elaborate or less truthful.

  • She embellished her story with dramatic details to make it more exciting.
  • The fabric was embellished with intricate embroidery.

Examples of usage

  • The painting was graced with intricate details.
  • Her presence graced the event.

Translations

Translations of the word "grace" in other languages:

🇵🇹 graça

🇮🇳 कृपा (kripā)

🇩🇪 Gnade

🇮🇩 rahmat

🇺🇦 благодать

🇵🇱 łaska

🇯🇵 恵み (megumi)

🇫🇷 grâce

🇪🇸 gracia

🇹🇷 zarafet

🇰🇷 은혜 (eunhye)

🇸🇦 نعمة (ni'ma)

🇨🇿 milost

🇸🇰 milosť

🇨🇳 恩典 (ēndiǎn)

🇸🇮 milost

🇮🇸 náð

🇰🇿 мейірім

🇬🇪 მადლი (madli)

🇦🇿 lütf

🇲🇽 gracia

Etymology

The word 'grace' originates from the Latin word 'gratia', meaning 'favor' or 'thanks'. In ancient Greek mythology, the three Graces were goddesses of beauty, charm, and gracefulness. Over time, the word evolved to encompass both physical elegance and spiritual blessings. Today, 'grace' is used to describe a combination of beauty, elegance, and divine favor.

See also: disgrace, disgraced, disgraceful, disgracefully, graceful, gracefully, gracefulness, gracious, ungraceful, ungracefully, ungracefulness.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,715, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.