gradually
Americanadverb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of gradually
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The reform will replace the widespread "6x1" system -- six days of work followed by one day off -- with a five-day week, gradually reducing the maximum working week from 44 to 40 hours.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
Instead of disappearing, these materials gradually fragment into increasingly smaller particles, including microplastics and nanoplastics.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
“But more often I feel like a gradually loaded container of years. I need to walk slowly or I’ll spill over.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
"China is well aware of these concerns, so trade is more likely to grow gradually."
From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026
Normally, when something makes a wave, the wave travels outward, gradually spreading out and losing strength, like the waves moving away from a pebble dropped into a pond.
From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
