gentle

[ jen-tl ]

/ ˈdʒɛn tl /

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See synonyms for: gentle / gentled / gentles / gentling 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR gentle

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

3 temperate.

5 noble.

7 manageable, docile, tame.

9 courteous; polished.

See synonyms for gentle on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR gentle

1 harsh, cruel.

2 violent, sudden.

7 wild, unruly.

See antonyms for gentle on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of gentle

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

synonym study for gentle

1. 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.

OTHER WORDS FROM gentle

gen·tle·ness, noungen·tly, adverbo·ver·gen·tle, adjectiveun·gen·tle, adjective

un·gen·tle·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gentle in a sentence

Mr. Huckabee far overshadows his kinder, gentler Gov. Huckabee.
The Devil in Mike Huckabee|Dean Obeidallah|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The actor showed tremendous range in the role, bouncing between his wacky stand-up persona and gentler dramatic work.
Robin Williams's Greatest Moments on Stage and Screen (Video)|The Daily Beast Video|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The ringlets had been allowed to fall out and in their place was a gentler, Farrah Fawcett-style wave.
Why Kate's Hair Matters|Tom Sykes|July 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sobriety brought a new, kinder, and gentler Womack, who often expressed remorse and regret over his past offenses.
Bobby Womack’s Sexual Democracy: The Late Soul Legend Preached Mutual Pleasure|David Masciotra|June 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Moore is famously amiable and social-media savvy, and he takes a gentler and more sophisticated tone than his predecessor.
Southern Baptists Take Baby Steps Away from the Culture Wars|Ruth Graham|June 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He rules with a gentler sway than many who are accustomed to other methods of command would believe possible.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
Christianity is the embodiment of the gentler graces; paganism, in its purest form, that of the sterner virtues.
The Catacombs of Rome|William Henry Withrow
They soon found that it would have been wise to propose a gentler censure.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
Beyond, is a very excellent school for girls as well as infants of the gentler sex.
Our Churches and Chapels|Atticus
A new spirit also had come into Parpon's eyes, gentler, less weird, less distant.
When Valmond Came to Pontiac, Complete|Gilbert Parker

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 forms of gentle

gently, 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

gentle

OTHER WORDS FOR gentle

OPPOSITES FOR gentle

Origin of gentle

synonym study for gentle

OTHER WORDS FROM gentle

Words related to gentle

How to use gentle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gentle

Derived forms of gentle

Word Origin for gentle