gracious

Everyday

1. Kind, polite and generous, especially to people who have less power. tree →
2. Graceful, comfortable and elegant: gracious living. tree →
3. (exclamation, old-fashioned) Gracious! or Goodness gracious! shows surprise. tree →
4. (church) Full of mercy and kindness, as when Christians say God is gracious. tree →

In the lessons

In stories it describes a polite host, a kind queen or a good loser; in church language it describes God's mercy. Phrases: a gracious host, gracious in defeat, goodness gracious, good gracious me.

Examples

• The queen was gracious to everyone she met. tree →
• Be gracious in defeat and shake hands with the winners. tree →
• Goodness gracious, look at the mess in here! tree →
• Our host was gracious and made us feel at home. tree →
• Christians believe God is gracious and forgiving. tree →
• They lived in a gracious old house with big gardens. tree →
• Thank you, that's very gracious of you. tree →

Note

Opposite: ungracious or rude. Noun: grace; adverb: graciously. Goodness gracious! is an old-fashioned, polite way to show surprise, often used by grandparents. Do not confuse with graceful (moving beautifully).

In Jewish tradition

The words merciful and gracious begin the list of God's qualities that God told Moses on Sinai.

Interpretation. Jewish tradition calls these the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy. They are recited on fast days and in the Selichot prayers and the High Holy Day services as a plea for forgiveness.

Examples

• The LORD make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; (Torah NUM.6.25, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed: 'The LORD, the LORD, God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth; (Torah EXO.34.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• for that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin; wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto Me, that I will hear; for I am gracious. (Torah EXO.22.27, JPS 1917) tree →
• Hath God forgotten to be gracious? (Writings PSA.77.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• A gracious woman obtaineth honour; and strong men obtain riches. (Writings PRO.11.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is compassionate. (Writings PSA.116.5, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Opposite: ungracious or rude. Noun: grace; adverb: graciously. Goodness gracious! is an old-fashioned, polite way to show surprise, often used by grandparents. Do not confuse with graceful (moving beautifully).