gracious

aimable, courtois

Qui se montre aimable, poli et chaleureux envers les autres.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : gracious to someone (Our host was gracious to every guest.); gracious of someone to do something (It was gracious of you to invite us.)

Synonymes : courteous, kind, welcoming

Contraires : rude

Expressions courantes : gracious host, gracious welcome

plein de tact, courtois

Qui parle avec délicatesse pour ne pas blesser les sentiments de quelqu’un.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : gracious in something (She was gracious in her response to the criticism.)

Synonymes : tactful, diplomatic, courteous

Contraires : tactless

Expressions courantes : gracious reply, gracious in defeat

compatissant, miséricordieux

Qui est sensible à la souffrance des autres et les traite avec bonté.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : gracious to someone (The ruler was gracious to people in distress.)

Synonymes : compassionate, merciful

Contraires : cruel

Expressions courantes : gracious heart, gracious help

élégant, gracieux

Qui montre du charme et de l’élégance dans son apparence, ses mouvements ou sa façon de vivre.

En anglais simple : 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.

Synonymes : elegant, graceful, refined

Contraires : awkward

Expressions courantes : gracious living, gracious style

complaisant envers soi-même

Qui s’accorde généreusement nourriture, boissons ou autres plaisirs.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : gracious to oneself (He was gracious to himself when pouring the wine.)

Synonymes : self-indulgent

Contraires : abstemious

Expressions courantes : gracious to oneself, gracious helping

indulgent, clément

Qui pardonne volontiers les erreurs ou accorde plus de liberté que d’habitude.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : gracious to someone (The judge was gracious to the young offender.)

Synonymes : lenient, indulgent, forgiving

Contraires : strict

Expressions courantes : gracious pardon, gracious permission