graceful

adjective

grace·​ful ˈgrās-fəl How to pronounce graceful (audio)
Synonyms of graceful
1
: displaying grace (see grace entry 1 sense 1) in form or action : pleasing or attractive in line, proportion, or movement
a graceful dancer
the graceful neck of a swan
2
: exhibiting control, good manners, or kindness
As his empire crumbled amid the … scandal, he defiantly refused a graceful exit.—Jonathan Alter et al.
gracefully
ˈgrās-fə-lē How to pronounce graceful (audio)
adverb
gracefulness noun

Synonyms of graceful

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Examples of graceful in a Sentence

He has become a very graceful dancer. the graceful movements of a ballerina She was a graceful young woman with delicate features. the long, graceful neck of a swan His writing is clear and graceful. There was no graceful way to say no to their offer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His strawberry-blond American mother had given him her graceful neck and tall, sleek but broad-shouldered build. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026 The slender metal frame swoops into a graceful curve, with a petite tray branching off to one side—a perfect perch for your favorite candle or a warm drink. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 26 Oct. 2026 My accommodations unfolded in a graceful series of rooms with couches, a four-poster bed, and a dual-vanity bathroom. — Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026 The brusque treatment of an executive of Bajaria’s stature is a sign that no one is safe from scrutiny, and no one should ever count on making a graceful exit. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for graceful

Word History

Etymology

see grace entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of graceful was in the 15th century

Rhymes for graceful

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Browse Nearby Words

grace cup
graceful
graceful kelp crab
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Cite this Entry

“Graceful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/graceful. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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