French word

grâce

Pronunciation

IPA/gʁas/

Meaning

  • feminine nounthanks to ___

Example

C'est grâce à toi que j'ai réussi.

It is thanks to you that I succeeded.

Illustration for grâce (thanks to ___)

More examples

Elle a obtenu une bourse grâce à son travail.

She obtained a scholarship thanks to her work.

Core concept

The favorable force that allows something to succeed when another source provides the benefit.

Common phrases

  • grâce à

    thanks to

  • grâce à vous

    thanks to you

Similar words

aide: Help offered to solve a problem.
avantage: A benefit or condition that works in someone's favor.

Definition in French

Désigne l'aide, la faveur ou la circonstance bénéfique grâce à laquelle un fait positif se produit, fréquemment utilisé avec « grâce à ».

Word origin

French inherited grâce through Old French from Latin gratia, and its meaning of favor or goodwill extended to the cause of a fortunate result.

Usage tips

  • Grâce à normally presents its cause positively, while à cause de commonly introduces an unwanted cause; grâce à can also sound ironic in a blaming context.

Other meanings

  • gracenoun
  • forgivenessnoun

Opposites

  • punitionpunishmentnoun
  • sévéritéseveritynoun

Related words

Word lists with this word