Etymology Map
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Grace

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means elegance of movement; courteous goodwill; God's favour; a prayer before a meal

Where does the word "grace" come from? It comes from Latin gratia, adopted directly into English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
gratia
Latin · classical
"favour, thanks"
'favour, thanks'; the three Graces, the goddesses of charm, were the Gratiae
2
Stage 2 of 2
grace
English · 1200s
"elegance; favour; prayer"
via Old French grace, used above all for God's unearned favour; 'Your Grace' addressed English kings until Henry VIII's time, when 'Majesty' took over, and dukes and archbishops kept it
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Read the full story

Grace’s story begins in Latin: gratia meant “favour, thanks.” 'favour, thanks'; the three Graces, the goddesses of charm, were the Gratiae. It reached English by 1200s as grace. Via Old French grace, used above all for God's unearned favour; 'Your Grace' addressed English kings until Henry VIII's time, when 'Majesty' took over, and dukes and archbishops kept it. Today, grace means elegance of movement; courteous goodwill; God's favour; a prayer before a meal.