gradually

[graj-oo-uh-lee]

adverb

1. by small degrees or little by little.

   The hurricane moved northwestward to northward for two days, gradually weakened to a depression, and then turned eastward.

   Over the following decades, the curriculum was gradually expanded, with additional offerings in history, government, languages, geology, and geography.

Other Word Forms

• ungradually adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of gradually¹

gradual ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

"Wind speeds are due to decrease gradually through the day and most airlines are expecting to run full schedules," he added.

From BBC

Overnight, the winds will peak across Scotland as heavy rain sweeps southeast across England and Wales, before gradually easing later on Saturday.

From BBC

His bat also started to gradually come around.

From Los Angeles Times

But over the past year or so, Beijing and Delhi have been taking steps to gradually re-rebuild the frayed relationship.

From BBC

If a cold's coming on, then it often does so gradually.

From BBC

Related Words

• constantly 
• continuously 
• deliberately 
• gently 
• increasingly 
• moderately 
• progressively 
• regularly 
• steadily