grace

grace

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Pronunciation

The IPA phonetic spelling for "grace" is /ɡreɪs/.

• grace: /ɡreɪs/

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Word Form Variations

• Noun: grace (singular), graces (plural)

• Verb: grace (base form), graces (third person singular present), graced (past tense, past participle), surfacing (present participle)

• Adjective: graceful, gracious

• Adverb: gracefully, graciously

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

Grace

1. Smoothness and elegance of movement or form. 

• Synonyms: elegance, poise, fluidity, finesse, charm

• Antonyms: awkwardness, clumsiness, ungainliness, inelegance

2. Courteous goodwill; politeness; a pleasing quality or attractiveness.

• Synonyms: charm, elegance, refinement, poise, courtesy, amiability

• Antonyms: rudeness, coarseness, ugliness, harshness

3. (In religion) The free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowing of blessings. 

• Synonyms: divine favor, blessing, mercy, benevolence, redemption

• Antonyms: damnation, wrath, curse, disfavor

4. A short prayer of thanks said before or after a meal.

• Synonyms: blessing, thanks, benediction

• Antonyms: (no direct antonyms; refers to a type of prayer)

5. A period of time allowed for payment of a debt or fulfillment of an obligation, beyond the due date.

• Synonyms: deferral, reprieve, extension, respite

• Antonyms: penalty, forfeiture, immediate due date

Verb

Grace

1. To enhance or dignify (something) by one's presence or by bestowing honor upon it.

• Synonyms: adorn, embellish, dignify, honor, favor, beautify

• Antonyms: mar, spoil, disfigure, disgrace, defile

2. To move in a smooth and elegant way.

• Synonyms: glide, float, flow, waft

• Antonyms: stumble, lurch, clunk, trudge

Adjective

Graceful

1. Characterized by elegance or beauty of movement, form, or proportion.

• Synonyms: elegant, fluid, poised, aesthetic, lithe, slender

• Antonyms: awkward, clumsy, ungainly, ungraceful, stiff

Gracious

1. Courteous, kind, and pleasant.

• Synonyms: courteous, polite, amiable, benevolent, obliging, cordial

• Antonyms: rude, uncivil, impolite, harsh, unkind

Adverb

Gracefully

1. In a smooth, elegant, or pleasing manner.

• Synonyms: elegantly, smoothly, beautifully, artistically, lithely

• Antonyms: awkwardly, clumsily, ungainly

Graciously

1. In a courteous, kind, and pleasant manner.

• Synonyms: courteously, kindly, benevolently, amiably, obligingly

• Antonyms: rudely, unkindly, harshly

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Examples of Use

Books

• Fiction: Authors often describe characters moving with "grace" or handling difficult situations with "grace." "She moved across the ballroom with effortless grace." A protagonist might find inner "grace" after a period of struggle.

• Non-fiction (Self-help/Spirituality): Books might discuss how to live with "grace" or the concept of divine "grace" in religious contexts. Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach includes reflections on finding "grace" in everyday life (Warner Books, November 1995).

• Art/Dance History: Texts analyze the "grace" of movements in ballet or the "graceful lines" of a sculpture.

Newspapers

• Arts & Culture Sections: Critics review performances, commenting on a dancer's "grace" or an actor's "graceful stage presence." "The prima ballerina performed with astonishing grace" (The New York Times, June 2025).

• News Articles: Reports might describe public figures handling adversity with "grace" or mention a "period of grace" for loan repayments. "The former president accepted the defeat with dignity and grace."

• Obituaries: Often describe the deceased as having lived a life of "grace" or faced illness with immense "grace."

Online Publications

• Fashion/Lifestyle Blogs: Bloggers often discuss achieving a "graceful look" or moving with "grace" and poise. "Tips for cultivating grace in your everyday movements."

• Dance/Fitness Websites: These sites offer tutorials or classes to improve one's balance and "grace." "Learn exercises to enhance your natural grace."

• Spiritual/Religious Websites: Many articles explore the theological concept of divine "grace" and its role in faith. "Understanding God's grace in times of struggle."

• Social Media: Users might share videos of animals moving with "grace" or quotes about living life with "grace."

Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms

• Movies/TV Shows: Characters might move with supernatural "grace," or a scene might depict someone saying a short "grace" before a meal. Dialogue might include, "You handled that with such grace."

• Music: Song lyrics frequently use "grace" to describe beauty, divine favor, or elegance. "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound."

• Dance Performances: Live or recorded dance shows are built entirely around the demonstration of physical "grace."

• Video Games: Characters might have abilities that allow them to move with increased "grace" or avoid attacks with surprising "grace."

• Podcasts: Spiritual podcasts might delve into different interpretations of divine "grace." Biographical podcasts might discuss how historical figures dealt with challenges with "grace."

General Public Discourse

• Conversations: In daily speech, people commonly say, "She handles herself with such grace," or "Could you say grace before we eat?" "He accepted the criticism with good grace."

• Workplace: Colleagues might describe someone who handles difficult clients with "grace" or praise a speaker's "graceful presentation style."

• Etiquette: Discussions often involve demonstrating social "grace" in various situations.

• Religion: Many religious communities regularly discuss the concept of divine "grace" in sermons and teachings.

• Sports: Athletes might be praised for the "grace and fluidity" of their movements.

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10 Quotes Using Grace

1. "Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound." (John Newton)

2. "Courage is grace under pressure." (Ernest Hemingway)

3. "Forgiveness is the final form of love. And it is given with grace." (Reinhold Niebuhr)

4. "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt." (Colossians 4:6, KJV)

5. "There is a place where words are utterly useless, and that place is called grace." (Rumi)

6. "The true measure of strength is found in how one handles adversity with silent grace."

7. "A graceful exit from any stage is often more memorable than a triumphant entrance."

8. "May you always find inner grace in moments of quiet reflection and peace."

9. "True beauty radiates from within, expressed through inherent dignity and quiet grace."

10. "The art of living is learning to dance through life's challenges with effortless grace."

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Etymology

The word "grace" comes from the Latin word "gratia," which meant "favor," "charm," "kindness," or "thanks."  This Latin word is related to "gratus," meaning "pleasing" or "thankful."

The first known use of "grace" in English, with meanings related to "divine favor" or "mercy," dates back to the late 11th century. It appeared in texts referring to God's unmerited favor. Soon after, it also came to describe the elegance of movement and courtesy, reflecting the pleasing and charming aspects of its Latin root.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Grace

• Amazing Grace: A famous Christian hymn (referring to divine favor). "The choir sang 'Amazing Grace' beautifully."

• By the grace of God: Used to express thanks that something good has happened, implying divine help. "By the grace of God, we survived the accident."

• Fall from grace: To lose favor, respect, or a privileged position. "The politician's scandal led to his dramatic fall from grace."

• Grace period: A period of time beyond a due date during which no penalty is incurred. "You have a 10-day grace period to pay the bill."

• Saving grace: A redeeming quality; a single good feature that compensates for a set of bad ones. "His sense of humor was his saving grace."

• With good grace: Politely and without complaint, even if unwillingly. "She accepted the defeat with good grace."

• Say grace: To say a prayer of thanks before or after a meal. "They always say grace before dinner."

• Grace under pressure: Maintaining composure and elegance in difficult situations. "He handled the crisis with remarkable grace under pressure."

• Stroke of grace: An unexpected act of kindness or good fortune. "Finding that last piece was a true stroke of grace."

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of grace from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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