gentle

[ jen-tl ]

adjective

, gen·tler, gen·tlest.

1. kindly; amiable:

   a gentle manner.

   Synonyms: merciful, lenient, humane, tender, soothing, pacific, peaceful, clement

   Antonyms: cruel, harsh

2. not severe, rough, or violent; mild:

   a gentle wind;

   a gentle tap on the shoulder.

   Antonyms: sudden, violent

3. moderate:

   gentle heat.

   Synonyms: temperate

4. gradual:

   a gentle slope.

5. of good birth or family; wellborn.

   Synonyms: noble

6. characteristic of good birth; honorable; respectable:

   a gentle upbringing.

7. easily handled or managed; tractable:

   a gentle animal.

   Synonyms: tame, docile, manageable

   Antonyms: unruly, wild

8. soft or low:

   a gentle sound.

9. polite; refined:

   Consider, gentle reader, my terrible predicament at this juncture.

   Synonyms: polished, courteous

10. entitled to a coat of arms; armigerous.
11. Archaic. noble; chivalrous:

    a gentle knight.

verb (used with object)

, gen·tled, gen·tling.

1. to tame; render tractable.
2. to mollify; calm; pacify.
3. to make gentle.
4. to stroke; soothe by petting.
5. to ennoble; dignify.

gentle

/ ˈdʒɛntəl /

adjective

1. having a mild or kindly nature or character
2. soft or temperate; mild; moderate

   a gentle scolding

3. gradual

   a gentle slope

4. easily controlled; tame

   a gentle horse

5. archaic.
   of good breeding; noble

   gentle blood

6. archaic.
   gallant; chivalrous

verb

1. to tame or subdue (a horse)
2. to appease or mollify
3. obsolete.
   to ennoble or dignify

noun

1. a maggot, esp when used as bait in fishing
2. archaic.
   a person who is of good breeding

Derived Forms

• ˈgently, adverb

Other Words From

• gen·tle·ness noun
• gen·tly adverb
• o·ver·gen·tle adjective
• un·gen·tle adjective
• un·gen·tle·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gentle¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English gentle, gentil(e), from Old French gentil “highborn, noble,” from Latin gentīlis “belonging to the same family,” equivalent to gent- (stem of gēns ) gens + -īlis -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of gentle¹

C13: from Old French gentil noble, from Latin gentīlis belonging to the same family; see gens

Synonym Study

Gentle, meek, mild refer to an absence of bad temper or belligerence. Gentle has reference especially to disposition and behavior, and often suggests a deliberate or voluntary kindness or forbearance in dealing with others: a gentle pat; gentle with children. Meek implies a submissive spirit, and may even indicate undue submission in the face of insult or injustice: meek and even servile or weak. Mild suggests absence of harshness or severity, rather because of natural character or temperament than conscious choice: a mild rebuke; a mild manner.

Example Sentences

Our spacious villa looked directly onto the gentle curve of Polo Beach.

From Washington Post

Afterward, you can expect to wash the blanket on your machine’s delicate settings with a gentle detergent.

From Popular-Science

Be sure to wash your heated vest with cool water with the machine’s gentle setting.

From Popular-Science

Gorilla Glue told TMZ that rubbing alcohol, a gentle combing and a delicate shampoo would likely be the best solution for Brown.

From Washington Post

That gentle evolution gives astronomers a unique opportunity to use TRAPPIST-1 and TOI-178 as testbeds for planetary theory.

From Science News

But he was always uncommonly gracious, a truly gentle man, willing to dispense wisdom and perspective when asked.

From The Daily Beast

She is incapable of responding to kindness and enquiry, even very gentle flirting on the part of a co-worker.

From The Daily Beast

The only justice sought by those folks involved a conviction against Wilson for killing the “gentle giant” teen.

From The Daily Beast

They act silly, and for a moment we see how gentle and innocent they are.

From The Daily Beast

I thought he was very intelligent, very gentle, soft-spoken, precise.

From The Daily Beast

He turned to the gentle accents of his sweet Alice, breathed in a letter which had been wet with her grateful tears.

From Project Gutenberg

The action was at first a little confusing to Edna, but she soon lent herself readily to the Creole's gentle caress.

From Project Gutenberg

He reached down inside my shirt, with a none too gentle hand, and relieved me of the belt that held the money.

From Project Gutenberg

Are you quite sure you have never suffered from this rather common disorder, gentle reader, at least, if you be of the male sex?

From Project Gutenberg

And it might be a good idea for you to give your men a gentle hint to keep their mouths closed about this affair—all of it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• calm
• delicate
• mellow
• mild
• moderate
• muted
• placid
• quiet
• serene
• slight
• slow
• smooth
• soft
• soothing
• subdued
• tender
• tranquil