grace in English
- grace⇄expr. fall from grace,
a. (Informal.) to lose favor.
Ex. She fell from grace with her teacher when she persisted in coming late to class.
b. to revert to sin or evildoing; backslide.
Ex. Calvinism denies the possibility of falli - grace⇄expr. have the grace, to show a sense of what is right or proper.
Ex. In the church ... will be represented a Miracle Play; and I hope you will all have the grace to attend (Longfellow). - grace⇄expr. in one's bad graces or in the bad graces of, disfavored or disliked by.
Ex. That rude boy is always in the teacher's bad graces. - grace⇄expr. in one's good graces or in the good graces of, favored or liked by.
Ex. I wonder if I am in the good graces of the teacher? - grace⇄expr. take heart of grace. See under heart.
- grace⇄expr. with bad grace, unpleasantly unwillingly.
Ex. The apology was made with bad grace. - grace⇄expr. with goodgrace, pleasantly; willingly.
Ex. He obeyed the order with good grace. - grace⇄grace, noun, verb, graced,gracing.
- grace⇄noun 1. beauty of form,movement, or manner.
Ex. The ballet dancer danced with much grace. Grace, indeed, is beauty in action (Benjamin Disraeli).
(SYN) charm, ease, elegance.
2. a pleasing or agreeable quality or feature.
Ex. Po - grace⇄v.t. 1. to give or add grace to; set off with grace.
Ex. A vase of flowers graced the room. Still cheaper chicken may grace menus soon (Wall Street Journal).
(SYN) adorn, decorate, embellish.
2. to give grace or honor to.
Ex. Th
grace in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
grace in Kashmiri कॉशुर
grace in Sindhi سنڌي
Grace
Part of Speech
Noun, Verb
Pronunciation
/ɡreɪs/
Definitions
1. (Noun) Elegance or beauty of movement, manner, or form.
2. (Noun) A short prayer said before or after a meal, asking for divine blessing.
3. (Noun) The unmerited favor or mercy of God, often used in a religious context.
4. (Verb) To honor or dignify with one's presence.
5. (Verb) To provide with grace or elegance.
Usage Examples
1. "She moved with grace across the stage during her performance."
2. "They said grace before dinner to thank for the food they received."
3. "He was granted grace after his mistake was forgiven."
4. "The celebrity graced the event with her presence."
Etymology
The word "grace" originates from the Latin word "gratia," meaning "favor, goodwill, kindness." It was used in Old French as "grace" to refer to charm, elegance, or divine favor. Over time, its meaning expanded to include notions of beauty in movement, as well as the idea of divine or moral favor, especially in religious contexts.
Synonyms
Elegance, beauty, charm, mercy, favor, poise, dignity, kindness, blessing, refinement
Antonyms
Clumsiness, awkwardness, rudeness, harshness, ugliness
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Gracia | /ˈɡɾaθja/ |
| French | Grâce | /ɡʁas/ |
| German | Gnade | /ˈɡnaːdə/ |
| Italian | Grazia | /ˈɡratt͡sja/ |
| Hindi | कृपा | /kripā/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 恩典 | /ēn diǎn/ |
| Japanese | 恵み | /megumi/ |
| Russian | Благодать | /blagəˈdatʲ/ |
| Arabic | نعمة | /ni‘mah/ |
| Portuguese | Graça | /ˈɡɾasɐ/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
British English: /ɡreɪs/
American English: /ɡreɪs/
Historical Usage
The term "grace" has been in use for centuries, primarily referring to the concept of divine favor. In medieval Christianity, grace was understood as the unearned favor of God, which was necessary for salvation. During the Renaissance, the word "grace" also began to be associated with physical elegance and beauty, particularly in art and performance. The modern usage includes both the religious and secular meanings, as well as its use in the context of manners and social interactions.
Cultural Nuances
In Western cultures, grace is often associated with social etiquette and the concept of "grace under pressure," referring to the ability to handle difficult situations with poise. In religious contexts, particularly in Christianity, grace is seen as a central tenet, referring to God's mercy and favor bestowed upon individuals regardless of their actions. In many cultures, saying "grace" before a meal is a common ritual, signifying gratitude and blessing for the food.
More Information
Grace is a multifaceted term with rich historical, cultural, and religious significance. In religion, especially in Christianity, it signifies God's favor and mercy toward humankind, often described as unearned and unconditional. In a secular context, grace refers to beauty, elegance, or dignity, especially in social situations or in the way a person carries themselves. The concept of grace is also central in discussions of ethics and morality, as it often involves forgiveness, kindness, and the ability to rise above personal flaws.