2 syllables: gra, ces. Stress on gra.
GRAY-siz
/ˈɡɹeɪsɪz/
graces is pronounced GRAY-siz (/ˈɡɹeɪsɪz/). It has two syllables (gra-ces), with the stress on "gra". Graces is the plural of grace, referring to acts of kindness or elegance, or to religious blessings. In grammar or literature, it can denote favors or benevolent gestures. As a verb form, it also appears as the third-person singular present tense of grace, though the noun sense is far more common in everyday use.
Graces is the plural of grace, referring to acts of kindness or elegance, or to religious blessings. In grammar or literature, it can denote favors or benevolent gestures. As a verb form, it also appears as the third-person singular present tense of grace, though the noun sense is far more common in everyday use.
"She offered her graces to the host with a warm smile."
"The ceremony was filled with the graceful graces of the dancers."
"In Christian tradition, the priest gave his benedictions and graces after the service."
Pronounce it as /ˈɡreɪsɪz/. The primary stress lands on the first syllable: GRA-ces. Use a quick but clean /ɡreɪ/ onset followed by the z-like /z/ in the final consonant cluster. The plural suffix is /-ɪz/ rather than /-əs/. Mouth position: start with the jaw slightly dropped for /ɡreɪ/, then move to a lax, voiced /ɪ/ before the /z/. If you’re careful with the /ɡr/ blend, you’ll avoid a whispered initial. Audio reference: say “grace” with a trailing /-ɪz/.”,
Two common errors are misplacing the stress and mispronouncing the final /ɪz/ as /əs/. People sometimes say /ˈɡreɪsəz/ with a schwa in the second syllable, which sounds like a reduction rather than a clear /ɪ/. Another mistake is making the final consonant a voiceless /s/ instead of the voiced /z/ in /-ɪz/. Correct by keeping the second syllable short but lax, ending with a voiced /z/ and ensuring the /ɪ/ is clear but not full-length. Practice with minimal pairs to lock in /ɪz/.
In US, UK, and AU, /ˈɡreɪsɪz/ remains the same for the most part, with the main difference being rhoticity: US accents are typically rhotic, but /ɡreɪsɪz/ ends with /ɪz/—not rhotic. UK and AU commonly maintain non-rhotic tendencies in some contexts; however, final /ɪz/ remains audible. Vowel quality of /eɪ/ may be slightly more open in Northern UK variants; AU tends to be non-rhotic with a slightly flatter /ɪ/ vowel depending on region. In all, the word is relatively stable, but subtle vowel height and consonant voicing can shift minutely by speaker. IPA remains /ˈɡreɪsɪz/ across regions.
Because you have to coordinate the /ɡr/ cluster with the /eɪ/ diphthong, then switch quickly to a voiced /z/ in /-ɪz/. The second syllable carries a lax, near-closed vowel /ɪ/ that's short and less prominent than the first vowel, which can tempt you to reduce it. Also, the final /z/ needs voicing, which can be tricky if your tongue tension carries into the /ɪ/. Focus on a clean /ɡr/ onset, a crisp /eɪ/ nucleus, and a precise /z/ voicing, with the /ɪ/ as a light, quick middle syllable.
The plural suffix /-ɪz/ signals a voice feature distinct from /-əz/ or /-əz/ in some words. The presence of /ɪ/ before the final /z/ helps avoid a run-on with /s/ or a hard /z/. Ensuring the /ɪ/ is perceptible, even if brief, helps distinguish graces from similar-sounding words like ‘graces’ as a verb phrase or ‘graces’ as a plural noun for a musical term. Try articulating the second syllable with a slight pause before the /z/ to ensure distinct syllabic boundaries.
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Grace originates from the Latin gratia, meaning favor, goodwill, or thanks. The root grat- conveys pleasing or thankful sentiment. It entered Old French as grace, then Middle English as grace, retaining the sense of benevolence, charm, and divine blessing. In early texts, grace often referred to favor shown by a superior or the graciousness attributed to God. Over time, the noun broadened to include elegant movement and courteous behavior. The verb form grace surfaced in English around the 14th century as a transitive verb meaning to adorn or honor with grace, and as a verb describing the act of blessing or invoking grace in religious contexts. The plural graces appears in secular usage to denote multiple acts of kindness or blessings; in religious language, it retains occasional uses of divine favors. First known uses appear in Chaucerian and medieval theological writings, with sustained usage in literature and ceremonial language through the modern era. The word has remained robust in both everyday compassion-language and formal liturgical contexts, continually linked to the idea of beauty, favor, and benevolent action.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "graces" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "graces" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "graces"
-ces sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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