1 grace
Pronounced:
/ˈgreɪs/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural grac·esMeaning:
1 [noncount] : a way of moving that is smooth and attractive and that is not stiff or awkward ▪ She walked across the stage with effortless grace.
2 a [noncount] : a controlled, polite, and pleasant way of behaving ▪ She handles her problems with grace and dignity. ▪ He has shown remarkable grace during this crisis. ◊People say you have the (good) grace to do something when they approve of what you do and consider it to be polite and proper. ▪ She has the grace [=she is polite/nice enough] to listen to everyone's complaints. ▪ At least he had the good grace to admit that he was wrong. b graces [plural] : skills that are needed for behaving in a polite way in social situations ▪ She is quite lovable despite her lack of social graces.
3 [noncount] a : help or kindness that God gives or shows to people ▪ Let us give thanks for God's grace. ▪ By the grace of God, no one was seriously hurt. ◊People use the phrase (there) but for the grace of God (go I) to say that they could be in the same bad situation as someone else. ▪ I saw a homeless person on the street and thought “there but for the grace of God go I.” [=I am lucky not to be homeless also] b : a state of being pleasing to God ▪ She tried to live her life in God's grace. ▪ He died in a state of grace. [=he died after he asked God to forgive his sins]
4 [noncount] : a short prayer that is said before a meal ▪ They asked her to say grace at dinner.
5 Grace [noncount] —used as a title for a duke, a duchess, or an archbishop —used with his, her, or your ▪ His Grace the Duke ▪ Yes, Your Grace.
2 a [noncount] : a controlled, polite, and pleasant way of behaving ▪ She handles her problems with grace and dignity. ▪ He has shown remarkable grace during this crisis. ◊People say you have the (good) grace to do something when they approve of what you do and consider it to be polite and proper. ▪ She has the grace [=she is polite/nice enough] to listen to everyone's complaints. ▪ At least he had the good grace to admit that he was wrong. b graces [plural] : skills that are needed for behaving in a polite way in social situations ▪ She is quite lovable despite her lack of social graces.
3 [noncount] a : help or kindness that God gives or shows to people ▪ Let us give thanks for God's grace. ▪ By the grace of God, no one was seriously hurt. ◊People use the phrase (there) but for the grace of God (go I) to say that they could be in the same bad situation as someone else. ▪ I saw a homeless person on the street and thought “there but for the grace of God go I.” [=I am lucky not to be homeless also] b : a state of being pleasing to God ▪ She tried to live her life in God's grace. ▪ He died in a state of grace. [=he died after he asked God to forgive his sins]
4 [noncount] : a short prayer that is said before a meal ▪ They asked her to say grace at dinner.
5 Grace [noncount] —used as a title for a duke, a duchess, or an archbishop —used with his, her, or your ▪ His Grace the Duke ▪ Yes, Your Grace.
airs and graces —see 1air
fall from grace
◊If you fall from grace or experience a fall from grace, you no longer enjoy the success or good reputation that you once had, usually because you have done something wrong. ▪ The governor fell from grace after being accused of tax fraud. ▪ The book tells of his fall from grace.
in someone's good graces
◊If you are in someone's good graces, that person likes you and has a good opinion of you. ▪ He works late to stay in his boss's good graces.
with bad/ill grace
: in a way that shows that you are not happy about something : in an unpleasant way ▪ They agreed to the compromise with bad grace.
with good grace
: in a polite and pleasant way ▪ She accepted his advice with good grace. [=graciously] ▪ They lost the game with good grace.
—see also coup de grâce, saving grace