gradually

American  

[graj-oo-uh-lee] / ˈgrædʒ u ə li /

adverb

1. by small degrees or little by little.

   The hurricane moved northwestward to northward for two days, gradually weakened to a depression, and then turned eastward.

   Over the following decades, the curriculum was gradually expanded, with additional offerings in history, government, languages, geology, and geography.

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Other Word Forms

• ungradually adverb

Etymology

Origin of gradually

gradual ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

While an antigenic drift occurs gradually, a shift is sudden and involves two strains merging genetic material, spontaneously creating a new strain entirely.

From Salon

When warmer particles interact with cooler ones, energy and momentum are gradually shared until temperatures even out across the system.

From Science Daily

Those models suggest that clusters gradually heat up over time and only reach these temperatures much later, after becoming larger and more stable.

From Science Daily

Economists predict hiring will gradually recover in 2026, but the labor market is likely to remain weak for a while.

From MarketWatch

Economists predict hiring will gradually recover in 2026, but the labor market is likely to remain weak for a while.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• constantly
• continuously
• deliberately
• gently
• increasingly
• moderately
• progressively
• regularly
• steadily