gradual

[ graj-oo-uhl ]

/ ˈgrædʒ u əl /

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See synonyms for: gradual / gradually on Thesaurus.com

adjective

taking place, changing, moving, etc., by small degrees or little by little: gradual improvement in health.

rising or descending at an even, moderate inclination: a gradual slope.

noun

Ecclesiastical.(often initial capital letter)

an antiphon sung between the Epistle and the Gospel in the Eucharistic service.
a book containing the words and music of the parts of the liturgy that are sung by the choir.

OTHER WORDS FOR gradual

2 gentle.

See synonyms for gradual on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR gradual

1 sudden.

2 precipitous.

See antonyms for gradual on Thesaurus.com

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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; see grade, -al¹

synonym study for gradual

1. See slow.

OTHER WORDS FROM gradual

grad·u·al·ly, adverbgrad·u·al·ness, nounun·grad·u·al, adjective

Words nearby gradual

gradienter, gradient post, gradient wind, gradin, gradiometer, gradual, gradualism, gradually, graduand, graduate, graduated

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gradual in a sentence

It seemed the plan was to slowly capture market share with a gradual introduction of new features across its platform.
The future of Google and what it means for search|Pete Eckersley|February 5, 2021|Search Engine Watch
Its gradual eradication meant ending the needless suffering and death of millions and millions of people every year.
Smallpox used to kill millions of people every year. Here’s how humans beat it.|Kelsey Piper|February 5, 2021|Vox
By Wednesday, we start clearing out and begin a gradual warming trend until another shot of cold air by Saturday.
Updates: An icy morning with scattered snow showers developing into the afternoon|Jason Samenow|February 1, 2021|Washington Post
In October 2019, five weeks after finishing the AT, a doctor rechecked an X-ray of my left foot and cleared me for a gradual return to running.
Did Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail Ruin My Body?|Grayson Haver Currin|January 25, 2021|Outside Online

This has been a gradual, maybe too gradual, transition for our industry.
By clamping down on DC rioters, Airbnb is finally acting like it owns the place|Rani Molla|January 15, 2021|Vox
Utilizing fear, or taking a reasoned approach to gradual, incremental change?
Jon Stewart Talks ‘Rosewater’ and the ‘Chickensh-t’ Democrats’ Midterm Massacre|Marlow Stern|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now 88 senators are urging the Obama administration to take a very different approach to the group: gradual regime change.
Senators: Take Gaza Away From Hamas|Eli Lake|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Tshering is in favor of growth, he says, but a “gradual one and spread throughout the year.”
Can Traditional Bhutan Survive Tourism?|Esha Chhabra|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It also traces his days as a juvenile delinquent, and gradual rise up the R&B charts.
‘Get On Up’ Star Chadwick Boseman on Becoming James Brown—With A Little Help From Mick Jagger|Marlow Stern|August 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That sounds small, but the buildup of Hezbollah forces in Syria was gradual, too.
Hezbollah’s Widening War Spreads to Iraq|Jamie Dettmer|August 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The occupants of the room had been too absorbed with their own affairs to notice the gradual dimming of the illumination.
The Boarded-Up House|Augusta Huiell Seaman
His departure in autumn had been so gradual, that it was difficult to say when night began to overcome the day.
The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne
John Baptiste Robinet taught the gradual development of all forms of existence from a single creative cause.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
It is not exactly so, but is still very different to the gradual swell on the other Cremona instruments.
Violins and Violin Makers|Joseph Pearce
That at some period of Man's gradual evolution from the brute, God found Man guilty of some sin, and cursed him.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford

British Dictionary definitions for gradual

gradual

/ (ˈɡrædjʊəl) /

adjective

occurring, developing, moving, etc, in small stagesa gradual improvement in health

not steep or abrupta gradual slope

noun

(often capital) Christianity

an antiphon or group of several antiphons, usually from the Psalms, sung or recited immediately after the epistle at Mass
a book of plainsong containing the words and music of the parts of the Mass that are sung by the cantors and choir

Derived forms of gradual

gradually, adverbgradualness, noun

Word Origin for gradual

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

gradual

OTHER WORDS FOR gradual

OPPOSITES FOR gradual

Origin of gradual

synonym study for gradual

OTHER WORDS FROM gradual

Words nearby gradual

Words related to gradual

How to use gradual in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gradual

Derived forms of gradual

Word Origin for gradual