a short prayer of thanks said before or after a meal
The family bowed their heads to say grace before dinner.
Grandpa volunteered to say grace at Thanksgiving.
✦ Sense developed in late Middle English from earlier meaning of divine favor.
extra time allowed before something happens or must be done
The bank gave me a two-day grace period to pay the bill.
Students have a week of grace before late fees apply.
✦ Metaphorical extension from divine favor in early 19th-century commercial use.
smooth, attractive, and controlled movement or way of behaving
The ballerina moved with stunning grace across the stage.
The cat leapt onto the garden wall with silent grace.
✦ From Old French grace, from Latin gratia “favor, kindness, esteem.”
polite and considerate behaviour, especially towards other people
The host treated every guest with remarkable grace.
She had the grace to apologize for being late.
✦ Same origin as Sense 1; meaning shifted to manners in Middle English.
the free and loving help or favor believed to be given by God
Many believers see forgiveness as an act of divine grace.
By the grace of God, the sailors survived the storm.
✦ From Latin gratia “divine favor, goodwill,” entering English via Old French.
to make a place, event, or object more attractive or important by being present or by adding something beautiful
The famous actor will grace the film festival tonight.
Her portrait graces the cover of the magazine.
✦ Verb use dates to late Middle English, from the noun meaning of favor and beauty.
a female given name
Grace waved to her friends from across the playground.
The teacher asked Grace to read the next paragraph.
✦ Taken from the virtue, popular as a Puritan name in the 17th century.
