gradual

[graj-oo-uhl]

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

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

/ ˈɡrædjʊəl /

adjective

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

   a gradual improvement in health

2. not steep or abrupt

   a gradual slope

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

Other Word Forms

• gradually adverb
• gradualness noun
• ungradual adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gradual¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gradual¹

C16: from Medieval Latin graduālis relating to steps, from Latin gradus a step

Synonym Study

See slow.

Example Sentences

Macron and other European leaders are taking a gradual approach, laying the groundwork for mass mobilization with recruitment systems they can rapidly scale up in a moment of crisis.

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The former tend to be more gradual and less dramatic, and therefore are often overlooked in real time.

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“The picture is not a single replacement for the dollar. It is a gradual shift toward a more mixed composition.”

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The Fed’s recent decision to stop reducing its bondholdings on Dec. 1 should help end the gradual rise in funding pressures, and rate volatility has also eased since the start of November.

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Putting this all together, a market leadership review currently shows a gradual rotation to value from growth.

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Related Words

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