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

Synonym Usage

See slow.

Other Word Forms

• gradualness
  noun
• ungradual
  adjective
• gradually
  adverb

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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; see grade, -al ¹

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Explanation

Use the adjective gradual to describe something that happens slowly, bit by bit, like the gradual decrease in the amount of daylight in winter. Gradual can also apply to the gentle slope of landforms like hills. A gradual incline seems to slowly rise — you may not even realize you're walking up such a hill. Gradual comes from the Latin word gradus, which means "step." Step by step, a gradual hill climbs, while a steep hill seems to leap up into the air.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gradual

The researchers have described it as a gerozyme, a term for enzymes that become more abundant with age and contribute to the gradual loss of tissue function.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 6, 2026

“Having a definitive view about AI-led changes remains challenging, but we still see this as a gradual, rather than a fast-paced, process,” UBS notes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky also voiced support for the measure, saying the gradual ramp-up will give city leaders time to find the money.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

Over the years, there has been "a slow, gradual increase in the need" for the bombers, said Morgante.

From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026

A gradual rise in population densities impelled people to obtain more food, by rewarding those who unconsciously took steps toward producing it.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

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Related Words

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

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