How to pronounce graceful
Say it like GRAYS-ful. Graceful has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GRAYS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce graceful. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- GRAYS
- ful
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Graceful pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- GRAYSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- fulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of graceful
American and British speakers say graceful in essentially the same way: /ˈɡreɪsfəl/ in the US and /ˈɡreɪsfʊl/ in the UK.
British respelling: GRAYS-fuul.
What does graceful mean?
- Having or showing grace in movement, shape, or proportion.“She is a graceful dancer.”
- Magnanimous, lacking arrogance or complaint; gracious.“The athlete's graceful acceptance of the controversial second-place finish won the admiration of the spectators.”
- Gradual and non-disruptive.
Where does graceful come from?
From Middle English graceful.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying graceful
How do you pronounce graceful?
Say GRAYS-ful. The American pronunciation is /ˈɡreɪsfəl/. In British English it is /ˈɡreɪsfʊl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in graceful?
Graceful has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GRAYS). Broken into parts: GRAYS · ful.
Do Americans and Brits say graceful the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɡreɪsfəl/ and the British form is /ˈɡreɪsfʊl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.