gracious

親切な、礼儀正しい

人に親切で、礼儀正しく温かく接する様子。

やさしい英語で： Kind, polite, and friendly towards other people.

• She was a gracious host.
• He gave us a gracious welcome.
• It was gracious of her to thank everyone personally.

使い方： gracious to someone (Our host was gracious to every guest.); gracious of someone to do something (It was gracious of you to invite us.)

類義語： courteous, kind, welcoming

反対語： rude

よく使う表現： gracious host, gracious welcome

思いやりのある、丁重な

相手の気持ちを傷つけないよう、丁寧に話す様子。

やさしい英語で： Careful to speak politely and avoid hurting someone’s feelings.

• He gave a gracious reply.
• She was gracious in defeat and praised the winner.
• His gracious words eased an awkward moment.

使い方： gracious in something (She was gracious in her response to the criticism.)

類義語： tactful, diplomatic, courteous

反対語： tactless

よく使う表現： gracious reply, gracious in defeat

慈悲深い、情け深い

苦しむ人をいたわり、優しく接する様子。

やさしい英語で： Feeling sympathy for people who suffer and treating them with kindness.

• She had a gracious heart.
• They prayed to a gracious God for help.
• The queen was gracious to the suffering families.

使い方： gracious to someone (The ruler was gracious to people in distress.)

類義語： compassionate, merciful

反対語： cruel

よく使う表現： gracious heart, gracious help

優雅な、上品な

美しさや魅力があり、動きや暮らし方が優雅な様子。

やさしい英語で： Showing beauty, charm, or an easy, elegant way of moving or living.

• The house offered gracious living.
• Her gracious movements drew every eye.
• Wide rooms gave the home a gracious elegance.

類義語： elegant, graceful, refined

反対語： awkward

よく使う表現： gracious living, gracious style

自分に甘い

食べ物や飲み物など、好きなものを自分にたっぷり許す様子。

やさしい英語で： Generous to yourself when taking food, drink, or other things you enjoy.

• He was gracious to himself with the wine.
• At supper, she was gracious to herself and took the largest portion.
• Our guest was gracious to himself whenever the cake came round.

使い方： gracious to oneself (He was gracious to himself when pouring the wine.)

類義語： self-indulgent

反対語： abstemious

よく使う表現： gracious to oneself, gracious helping

寛大な、寛容な

間違いを許したり、普段より多くのことを認めたりする様子。

やさしい英語で： Willing to forgive mistakes or allow someone more than they would normally be allowed.

• The ruler granted a gracious pardon.
• She was gracious about his repeated mistakes.
• Our gracious teacher allowed us another day to finish.

使い方： gracious to someone (The judge was gracious to the young offender.)

類義語： lenient, indulgent, forgiving

反対語： strict

よく使う表現： gracious pardon, gracious permission