gracious
UK: ˈɡreɪʃəs | US: ˈɡreɪʃəs
adj. courteous, kind, and pleasant
adj. characterized by elegance and comfort (e.g., gracious living)
adj. merciful or compassionate (archaic/religious context)
The word "gracious" evolved from the Latin gratiosus ("enjoying favor, agreeable"), passing through Old French gracios before entering Middle English. Its core meaning of "showing kindness or favor" reflects the original Latin root gratia, which also gives us "grace." Over time, it expanded to describe refined elegance (e.g., "gracious hospitality") and, in older usage, divine mercy.
She gave a gracious smile to the nervous newcomer.
The hostess was gracious enough to accommodate our last-minute request.
They lived in a gracious mansion with sprawling gardens.
The king was gracious toward his defeated enemies.
"Gracious me!" she exclaimed in surprise.