gradual

American  

[graj-oo-uhl] / ˈgrædʒ u əl /

adjective

1. taking place, changing, moving, etc., by small degrees or little by little.

   gradual improvement in health.

   Antonyms:

   sudden

2. rising or descending at an even, moderate inclination.

   a gradual slope.

   Synonyms:

   gentle

   Antonyms:

   precipitous

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noun

1. Ecclesiastical.

   1. an antiphon sung between the Epistle and the Gospel in the Eucharistic service.

   2. a book containing the words and music of the parts of the liturgy that are sung by the choir.

gradual British  

/ ˈɡrædjʊəl /

adjective

1. occurring, developing, moving, etc, in small stages

   a gradual improvement in health

2. not steep or abrupt

   a gradual slope

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noun

1. (often capital) Christianity

   1. an antiphon or group of several antiphons, usually from the Psalms, sung or recited immediately after the epistle at Mass

   2. a book of plainsong containing the words and music of the parts of the Mass that are sung by the cantors and choir

Related Words

See slow.

Other Word Forms

• gradually adverb
• gradualness noun
• ungradual adjective

Etymology

Origin of gradual

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin graduālis “pertaining to steps,” graduāle the part of the service sung as the choir stood on the altar steps, equivalent to Latin gradu(s) “step,” + -ālis adjective suffix; grade, -al ¹

Example Sentences

While exports could see a modest near-term rebound amid improving U.S.-China relations, any recovery is expected to be more gradual than strong, he added.

From The Wall Street Journal

There are continued signs of a gradual cooling in the U.S. labor market, which should eventually weigh on the dollar, leaving room for further ringgit appreciation in 2026.

From The Wall Street Journal

Rather, it would be a gradual process over a few weeks.

From MarketWatch

Even without dramatic failures, the gradual result is capacity loss, as batteries slowly lose their ability to hold the same amount of charge.

From Science Daily

The 2014 drop in the international price of crude marked the beginning of the gradual withdrawal of Venezuelan support and the acceleration of Cuba’s economic and social decline.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• continuous
• creeping
• piecemeal
• progressive
• slow
• steady
• step-by-step