What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
graceful
Example
The ballerina's graceful movements captivated the audience. [graceful: adjective]
Example
The swan glided across the lake with a graceful motion. [graceful: adjective]
Example
She gracefully accepted the award and thanked her supporters. [gracefully: adverb]
gracious
Example
The hostess was gracious enough to offer us a tour of her home. [gracious: adjective]
Example
He graciously accepted the invitation and brought a gift. [graciously: adverb]
Example
She gave a gracious speech thanking her colleagues for their hard work. [gracious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Graceful is more commonly used than gracious in everyday language. Graceful is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gracious is less common and refers to specific social behaviors or attitudes.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between graceful and gracious?
Gracious is typically associated with a formal and polite tone, while graceful can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
