Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - gracious

 adjective  Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French gracieus, from Latin gratiosus enjoying favor, agreeable, from gratia  Date: 14th century  1.  a. obsolete godly  b. archaic pleasing, acceptable  2.  a. marked by kindness and courtesy a ~ host  b. graceful  c. marked by tact and delicacy ; urbane  d. characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit, and the tasteful leisure of wealth and good breeding ~ living  3. merciful, compassionate — used conventionally of royalty and high nobility  • ~ly adverb  • ~ness noun Synonyms:  ~, cordial, affable, genial, sociable mean markedly pleasant and easy in social intercourse. ~ implies courtesy and kindly consideration the ~ award winner thanked her colleagues. cordial stresses warmth and heartiness our host was cordial as he greeted us. affable implies easy approachability and readiness to respond pleasantly to conversation or requests or proposals though wealthy, she was affable to all. genial stresses cheerfulness and even joviality a genial companion with a ready quip. sociable suggests a genuine liking for the companionship of others sociable people who enjoy entertaining.