Grace
noun /ɡreɪs/ — Unmerited divine favor — and the elegance of movement or manner that needs no effort to appear.
Definition
Simple elegance or refinement of movement; courteous goodwill; (in Christian theology) the free and unmerited favor of God; a period officially allowed before an obligation becomes due.
Beyond the definition
Grace has two distinct lives in English — the theological (unmerited divine favor) and the aesthetic (elegant ease). Both carry something of the same quality: what is given rather than earned. The graceful person doesn't struggle for their grace; the grace of God is similarly unearned.
Origin & history
From Latin gratia — favor, thanks (from gratus: pleasing). The pleasing thing — grace as the quality of what pleases effortlessly.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She moved with a grace that made every room rearrange itself slightly in her direction.
He accepted the criticism with grace — no defensiveness, just the acknowledgment.
The theology of grace: you cannot earn it, which is either the most liberating or the most uncomfortable doctrine.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Grace” when the meaning fits your context: Simple elegance or refinement of movement; courteous goodwill; (in Christian theology) the free and unmerited favor of God; a period officially allowed before an obligation becomes due.
Synonyms
elegance, favor, blessing, poise, mercy
Antonyms
disgrace, awkwardness, condemnation
Related words
Grace vs mercy
Grace is the active granting of favor or blessings that one has not earned. Mercy is the restraint shown by not punishing someone even though they deserve it.
Compare this word
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Fleeting Moment of Beauty
An adult on a balcony captures a single, brilliant beam of sunlight striking a flower with their camera.
The brilliant beam of sunlight is an example of grace—an unmerited, beautiful gift. The moment captured by the photographer is a period of unexpected light and joy that makes life feel like a gift, illustrating the simple elegance and favor of a perfect, auspicious moment.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Grace" mean?
Grace is noun meaning: Unmerited divine favor — and the elegance of movement or manner that needs no effort to appear.. Simple elegance or refinement of movement; courteous goodwill; (in Christian theology) the free and unmerited favor of God; a period officially allowed before an obligation becomes due.
Where does the word "Grace" come from?
From Latin gratia — favor, thanks (from gratus: pleasing). The pleasing thing — grace as the quality of what pleases effortlessly.