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

Recessions are generally characterized, in the first instance, by the substitution of a sudden, sharp, upward movement in the unemployment rate for a gradual downward or sideways movement.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

But dealing with a rapid run-up in prices is a lot harder than dealing with a gradual one.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

A packed fixture schedule meant a gradual introduction to his squad was impossible.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

“The housing market continues to show gradual improvements compared to a year ago amid recent rate volatility,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

The belief that terrestrial processes were gradual had been elemental in natural history since the time of Lyell.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

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