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

"It was a gradual losing of hope," says Harris.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

That doesn’t necessarily require slashing benefits, but it could involve gradual changes—adjusting eligibility ages, modifying benefit formulas, or finding ways to control healthcare costs.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

The CEOs of McDonald’s or Walmart know an energy crunch will raise their costs and pinch their customers, but the effects are gradual and hard for them to quantify.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

The terms could allow limited access before 25 for things like education, emergencies or housing, and could also provide for gradual distributions rather than a lump sum.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

Change I had known before, and it had been gradual.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya

Related Words

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