gently

[ jent-lee ]

adverb

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. softly; quietly:

   He sings beautifully and easily at full voice, yet sounds equally compelling when singing more gently and lyrically.

Other Words From

• o·ver·gen·tly adverb
• un·gen·tly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of gently¹

gentl(e) ( def ) + -y ¹( def )

Example Sentences

Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes.

From Washington Post

Our ElephantEdge project brings in people from all over the world to create the best technology vital for the survival of these gentle giants.

From TechCrunch

It’s running wide and gentle — the Green, like the Colorado, is taxed heavily upstream for irrigation, plus it hasn’t rained here since July — and we wade into the bracing water to scrub away the trail dust.

From Washington Post

Though they’re miniature cabbages, they’re not as sturdy as the larger variety, and benefit from more gentle care.

From Washington Post

A more expansive patagium gives a colugo extra “wing area,” which lifts and slows the animal, allowing a gentler descent than other gliders, Byrnes says.

From Science News

Pages from the Quran fluttered in the air before landing gently on the rubble.

From The Daily Beast

“Gently rolling hills” roll not-so-gently under my tires, but the English countryside scenery is soporific.

From The Daily Beast

Shake off any excess flour and gently place in the heated oil.

From The Daily Beast

Divide the dough in half and very gently pat each half into a round 1-inch-thick disk.

From The Daily Beast

Set a heatproof bowl over a pot of gently simmering water, making sure that the bowl does not touch the surface of the water.

From The Daily Beast

Again the sallow fingers began to play with the book-covers, passing from one to another, but always slowly and gently.

From Project Gutenberg

She kept her eyes fixed steadily on his, saying what followed gently, calmly, yet as though another woman spoke the words.

From Project Gutenberg

But he put her gently by, saying, "I would rather be here, good Marda;" and went in and locked the door.

From Project Gutenberg

We laid him down gently, folded his arms on his breast, and for a moment held our peace in tribute to his passing.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, kindly and gently, the boy took Squinty over to the place where the corn crib was built on to the barn.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• lightly
• mildly
• smoothly