gradual

American  

[graj-oo-uhl] / ˈgrædʒ u əl /

adjective

1. taking place, changing, moving, etc., by small degrees or little by little.

   gradual improvement in health.

   Antonyms:

   sudden

2. rising or descending at an even, moderate inclination.

   a gradual slope.

   Synonyms:

   gentle

   Antonyms:

   precipitous

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noun

1. Ecclesiastical.

   1. an antiphon sung between the Epistle and the Gospel in the Eucharistic service.

   2. a book containing the words and music of the parts of the liturgy that are sung by the choir.

gradual British  

/ ˈɡrædjʊəl /

adjective

1. occurring, developing, moving, etc, in small stages

   a gradual improvement in health

2. not steep or abrupt

   a gradual slope

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noun

1. (often capital) Christianity

   1. an antiphon or group of several antiphons, usually from the Psalms, sung or recited immediately after the epistle at Mass

   2. a book of plainsong containing the words and music of the parts of the Mass that are sung by the cantors and choir

Synonym Usage

See slow.

Other Word Forms

• gradualness
  noun
• ungradual
  adjective
• gradually
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of gradual

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin graduālis “pertaining to steps,” graduāle the part of the service sung as the choir stood on the altar steps, equivalent to Latin gradu(s) “step,” + -ālis adjective suffix; see grade, -al ¹

Explanation

Use the adjective gradual to describe something that happens slowly, bit by bit, like the gradual decrease in the amount of daylight in winter. Gradual can also apply to the gentle slope of landforms like hills. A gradual incline seems to slowly rise — you may not even realize you're walking up such a hill. Gradual comes from the Latin word gradus, which means "step." Step by step, a gradual hill climbs, while a steep hill seems to leap up into the air.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gradual

"I'm skeptical that it will immediately push more players to the cloud quickly, but I do predict a gradual adoption of alternatives."

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

This gradual decline, known as immunosenescence, can increase vulnerability to age-related health problems and leave some older adults with weaker protection after vaccination.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 21, 2026

Last week, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said children should have "phased and gradual access" to social media.

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

Economists expect the Fed to hold rates steady through December at the current range of 3.5% to 3.75%, rather than continue gradual rate reductions that began in 2024.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026

In 1799, New York had begun the gradual process of abolishing slavery.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

• continuous
• creeping
• piecemeal
• progressive
• slow
• steady
• step-by-step