gentle

[ jen-tl ]

/ ˈdʒɛn tl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gentle ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, gen·tler, gen·tlest.

kindly; amiable: a gentle manner.

not severe, rough, or violent; mild: a gentle wind; a gentle tap on the shoulder.

moderate: gentle heat.

gradual: a gentle slope.

of good birth or family; wellborn.

characteristic of good birth; honorable; respectable: a gentle upbringing.

easily handled or managed; tractable: a gentle animal.

soft or low: a gentle sound.

polite; refined: Consider, gentle reader, my terrible predicament at this juncture.

entitled to a coat of arms; armigerous.

Archaic. noble; chivalrous: a gentle knight.

verb (used with object), gen·tled, gen·tling.

to tame; render tractable.

to mollify; calm; pacify.

to make gentle.

to stroke; soothe by petting.

to ennoble; dignify.

Nearby words

gentilesse, gentilism, gentility, gentisate, gentisic acid, gentle, gentle breeze, gentle craft, gentle sex, gentlefolk, gentleman

Origin of gentle

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

SYNONYMS FOR gentle

1 clement, peaceful, pacific, soothing; tender, humane, lenient, merciful. 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.

3 temperate.

5 noble.

7 manageable, docile, tame, quiet.

9 courteous; polished.

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ANTONYMS FOR gentle

1 harsh, cruel.

2 violent, sudden.

7 wild, unruly.

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Related forms

gen·tle·ness, noungen·tly, adverbo·ver·gen·tle, adjectiveo·ver·gen·tly, adverb

un·gen·tle, adjectiveun·gen·tle·ness, nounun·gen·t·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for gentle

The only justice sought by those folks involved a conviction against Wilson for killing the “gentle giant” teen.
Justice Was Served in Ferguson—This Isn’t Jim Crow America|Ron Christie|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They act silly, and for a moment we see how gentle and innocent they are.
‘Girlhood’: Coming of Age in France’s Projects|Molly Hannon|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In all, the comment seemed to be a bit of gentle ribbing with the leader of the free world.
Are Politicians Too Dumb to Understand the Lyrics to ‘Born in the USA’?|Parker Molloy|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In The Theory of Everything, the “master of the universe” is depicted as a gentle man and loving—albeit conflicted—husband.
The Other Side of Stephen Hawking: Strippers, Aliens, and Disturbing Abuse Claims|Marlow Stern|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The gentle, erudite soul within a body the public considered an oddity is the contrast at the heart of “The Elephant Man.”
The True Story of ‘The Elephant Man’|Russell Saunders|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If necessary, the whip may be used, by gentle touches upon the left shoulder.
The Lady and Her Horse|T. A. Jenkins
In another minute nine o'clock struck, and a gentle tap at the door called them both back into the world again.
Tom Brown's School Days|Thomas Hughes
But he was gentle, and appreciative of little kindnesses; so, to keep from weakening tears, I took to swearing myself.
A Woman's Part in a Revolution|Natalie Harris Hammond
"Yes," said Tussie, his eyes on her mouth—surely a mouth only made for kindness and gentle words.
The Princess Priscilla's Fortnight|Elizabeth von Arnim
"There's no telling what she's going to do," Mrs. Baxter went on, with a gentle sigh.
The Walking Delegate|Leroy Scott

British Dictionary definitions for gentle

gentle

/ (ˈdʒɛntəl) /

adjective

having a mild or kindly nature or character

soft or temperate; mild; moderatea gentle scolding

graduala gentle slope

easily controlled; tamea gentle horse

archaic of good breeding; noblegentle blood

archaic gallant; chivalrous

verb (tr)

to tame or subdue (a horse)

to appease or mollify

obsolete to ennoble or dignify

noun

a maggot, esp when used as bait in fishing

archaic a person who is of good breeding

Derived Formsgently, adverb

Word Origin for gentle

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for gentle

gentle

adj.

early 13c., "well-born," from Old French gentil "high-born, noble, of good family" (11c., in Modern French "nice, graceful, pleasing; fine pretty"), from Latin gentilis "of the same family or clan," from gens (genitive gentis) "race, clan," from root of gignere "beget," from PIE root *gen- "produce" (see genus). Sense of "gracious, kind" (now obsolete) first recorded late 13c.; that of "mild, tender" is 1550s. Older sense remains in gentleman.

gentle

adjective, gen·tler, gen·tlest.

verb (used with object), gen·tled, gen·tling.

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Nearby words

Origin of gentle

Examples from the Web for gentle

British Dictionary definitions for gentle

gentle

adjective

verb (tr)

noun

Word Origin for gentle

Word Origin and History for gentle

gentle