Ungracious Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ˜’
Add to dictionary

ungracious

[สŒnหˆษกreษชสƒษ™s ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

behavior

Lacking politeness or good manners; showing a lack of courtesy or consideration towards others.

Synonyms

discourteous, impolite, rude, unmannerly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
ungracious

This word is used to describe someone who is not kind or pleasant, especially in a way that is not thankful or appreciative.

  • She was ungracious in rejecting the gift.
  • His ungracious remarks made everyone uncomfortable.
rude

Use this word to describe blunt, harsh, or offensive behavior or speech. It often carries a stronger negative connotation.

  • He was very rude to the waiter, which embarrassed everyone at the table.
  • She received a rude email from a coworker.
impolite

This word is used when someone is not polite, which means they don't show respect or consideration for others. It is less harsh than 'rude'.

  • It is impolite to interrupt someone while they are speaking.
  • He realized it was impolite to leave the table without saying thank you.
discourteous

Use this word to describe someone who lacks politeness or good manners, especially in formal situations.

  • It was discourteous of him not to reply to the invitation.
  • Her discourteous behavior at the meeting was noticed by everyone.
unmannerly

This word is often used to describe someone who behaves in a socially inappropriate or disrespectful way, especially lacking in formal manners.

  • His unmannerly conduct at the formal dinner was shocking.
  • The child's unmannerly behavior in public needed to be addressed.

Examples of usage

  • She made an ungracious remark about his appearance.
  • His ungracious behavior towards the waiter was unacceptable.
  • The ungracious way she spoke to her colleagues was shocking.
Context #2 | Adjective

response

Not gracious or kind in response; lacking in appreciation or gratitude.

Synonyms

thankless, unappreciative, ungrateful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
ungracious

Used to describe someone who is rude or disrespectful, especially in social situations.

  • Her ungracious comments made everyone uncomfortable.
  • He was ungracious in declining the invitation.
unappreciative

Describes someone who doesn't show or feel gratitude for something received, commonly used in day-to-day interactions.

  • She felt hurt by his unappreciative response to her gift.
  • He was unappreciative of all the hard work his team had put in.
thankless

Describes a task or job that does not receive appreciation or recognition, often emphasizing the difficulty or unrecognized effort involved.

  • Parenting can often feel like a thankless job.
  • Volunteering for this cause is a thankless task, but someone has to do it.
ungrateful

Describes someone who fails to show or feel gratitude, often implying a deeper level of insensitivity or entitlement.

  • His ungrateful attitude made it hard to help him.
  • After all we've done for her, she remains ungrateful.

Examples of usage

  • She gave an ungracious reply to his compliment.
  • His ungracious reaction to the gift was disappointing.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • In Charles Dickens' works, ungracious characters often exhibit selfishness, contrasting with the kind-hearted protagonists.
  • Shakespeare's plays frequently explore themes of grace and ungraciousness, showcasing how these traits affect relationships and social standings.

Psychology

  • Studies show that ungracious behavior can stem from insecurity or a lack of empathy, affecting personal relationships.
  • Expressing gratitude and graciousness has been linked to improved mental health and social bonding.

Pop Culture

  • Many reality TV shows highlight ungracious behavior, typically leading to conflict and drama among contestants.
  • Songs and movies often depict ungracious characters as villains, emphasizing the importance of kindness in contrast.

Social Etiquette

  • Being ungracious can lead to social isolation, as people generally prefer to associate with those who show appreciation and kindness.
  • Learning to be gracious is often taught from childhood as a key component of good manners and respect in society.

Origin of 'ungracious'

Main points about word origin

  • The word combines the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and 'gracious,' which comes from the Latin 'gratia,' meaning 'grace' or 'favor.'
  • It has been used in English since the late 14th century to describe someone who is unthankful or lacking in courtesy.

The word 'ungracious' originated from the combination of the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'gracious' which comes from the Latin 'gratiosus', meaning 'full of thanks'. Over time, 'ungracious' evolved to describe behavior or responses that lack politeness, courtesy, or gratitude.


See also: graciously, graciousness.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,989, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.