gently
Americanadverb
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in a kind and amiable manner.
When a child makes a social mistake, an adult should gently and clearly explain what to do in the future to replace the inappropriate behavior.
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in a way that is not rough, harsh, or violent.
New or gently used toys, for both indoor and outdoor use, are requested for donation.
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in a way that is not extreme; moderately.
The ground sloped gently downward until it was almost level with the land on the other side of the stream.
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softly; quietly.
He sings beautifully and easily at full voice, yet sounds equally compelling when singing more gently and lyrically.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of gently
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.
I slipped the brake and the car gently reversed out of the parking space.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026
Tommy’s presence helps push Valerie to acknowledge Mickey’s absence and moves her to gently face it, finally scatter his ashes and let him go.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
Footage shows officers from the force's tactical unit gently resting a ladder against the roof of a back porch, with an officer then grabbing the man while he was sleeping.
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026
Pour over the rice and stir gently to combine.
From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026
When I mentioned any of this to Mutti, which I did, often, she would just put her arm around me, and say with a gently reproving smile and a shrug, “Me too, Elizabeth, me too.”
From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo
Definitions 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.
