Definition

1. Noun:

   • Elegance and beauty of movement or form: A pleasing quality of smoothness, control, and attractiveness in physical actions or appearance.
   • Courteous goodwill; polite and considerate behavior: A disposition to be kind, compassionate, and fair, especially towards someone less powerful.
   • (In Christian theology) The free and unmerited favor of God: Divine assistance, love, and mercy given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification.
   • A period officially allowed for the completion of a task or payment: An extension granted beyond a set deadline.
   • A short prayer of thanks said before or after a meal.
   • (plural: Graces) In Greek mythology, three goddesses who were the givers of beauty and charm.

2. Verb:

   • To honor or dignify by one's presence or action: To confer honor or prestige upon an event or place.
   • To add beauty or elegance to; to adorn: To make something more attractive or pleasing.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • She moved across the stage with effortless grace. (Elegance of movement)
  • He accepted his defeat with good grace. (Courteous goodwill)
  • They believe they are saved by God's grace. (Divine favor)
  • The bank gave us a two-week grace period to make the payment. (Extension of time)
  • We said grace before starting our dinner. (Prayer before a meal)

• Verb:

  • The queen graced the ceremony with her presence. (Honored by presence)
  • Beautiful paintings graced the walls of the old mansion. (Adorned)

Advanced Usage

• "To be in someone's good graces": To be favored or approved of by someone.

  • He worked hard to stay in his boss's good graces.

• "With good/bad grace": Willingly and pleasantly / Unwillingly and resentfully.

  • She accepted the criticism with good grace.
  • He apologized, but with very bad grace.

• "A saving grace": A redeeming quality that compensates for faults.

  • The hotel was noisy, but its friendly staff was a saving grace.

• "To fall from grace": To lose favor, status, or moral standing.

  • The politician fell from grace after the scandal.

Variants and Related Words

• Graceful (adj): Having or showing grace or elegance.
  • The dancer was very graceful.
• Graceless (adj): Lacking grace, elegance, or courtesy.
  • It was a graceless performance.
• Gracious (adj): Courteous, kind, and pleasant, especially to those of lower status; marked by luxury, comfort, or elegance.
  • She was a gracious hostess.
  • They lived in gracious surroundings.

Synonyms

• Elegance: Refined grace and stylishness.
• Poise: Graceful and elegant bearing.
• Favor: Approval, support, or kindness.
• Mercy: Compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone.

Related Phrases and Phrasal Verbs

• Grace with: To honor or adorn something with a particular quality or presence.
  • The exhibition was graced with several rare artifacts.

Related Idioms

• "There but for the grace of God go I": An expression of humility acknowledging that one's good fortune is not due to one's own merits, and that others' misfortune could easily be one's own.

  • Seeing the homeless man, she thought, "There but for the grace of God go I."

• "To have the grace to do something": To have the good manners or decency to do something.

  • He didn't win, but he had the grace to congratulate the champion.

Noun

1. (Christian theology) the free and unmerited favor or beneficence of God
   • God's grace is manifested in the salvation of sinners
   • there but for the grace of God go I
2. a short prayer of thanks before a meal
   • their youngest son said grace
3. (Greek mythology) one of three sisters who were the givers of beauty and charm; a favorite subject for sculptors
4. a disposition to kindness and compassion
   • the victor's grace in treating the vanquished
5. a sense of propriety and consideration for others
   • a place where the company of others must be accepted with good grace
6. elegance and beauty of movement or expression
   • a beautiful figure which she used in subtle movements of unparalleled grace
7. (Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
   • the conception of grace developed alongside the conception of sin
   • it was debated whether saving grace could be obtained outside the membership of the church
   • the Virgin lived in a state of grace

Verb

1. be beautiful to look at
   • Flowers adorned the tables everywhere
2. make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
   • Decorate the room for the party
   • beautify yourself for the special day