gentle

play

adjective gen·tle \ˈjen-t^əl\

Simple Definition of gentle

: having or showing a kind and quiet nature : not harsh or violent
: not hard or forceful
: not strong or harsh in effect or quality

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Full Definition of gentle

gentler

play \ˈjent-lər, -t^əl-ər\

gentlest

play \ˈjent-ləst, -t^əl-əst\

1 a : belonging to a family of high social station b archaic : chivalrous c : honorable, distinguished; specifically : of or relating to a gentleman d : kind, amiable —used especially in address as a complimentary epithet <gentle reader> e : suited to a person of high social station
2 a : tractable, docile b : free from harshness, sternness, or violence
3 : soft, delicate
4 : moderate

gently

play \ˈjent-lē\ adverb

See gentle defined for English-language learners

See gentle defined for kids

Examples of gentle in a sentence

a dog that is gentle with children
Your mother has a gentle manner.
a gentle sense of humor
I heard a gentle knock at the door.
It's a delicate problem that requires gentle handling.
The job requires a gentle touch.
The cold snap was a gentle reminder that winter was coming.

Origin and Etymology of gentle

Middle English gentil, from Anglo-French, from Latin gentilis of a gens, of one's family, from gent-, gens gens, nation; akin to Latin gignere to beget — more at kin

First Known Use: 13th century

gentle

noun gen·tle

Definition of gentle

: a person of gentle birth or status

Examples of gentle in a sentence

<the archbishop treated both the gentles and the commoners with respect and kindness>

14th Century

First Known Use of gentle

14th century

gentle

verb gen·tle

Definition of gentle

gentled

gentling

play \ˈjent-liŋ, ˈjen-t^əl-iŋ\

transitive verb
1 : to raise from the commonalty : ennoble
2 a : to make gentler b : to make (an animal) tame and docile c : mollify, placate d : to stroke soothingly : pet
intransitive verb
: to become gentle <the wind gentled>

Examples of gentle in a sentence

<employees soon learned that their hot-tempered boss needed to be gentled several times a day>
<soothingly gentled his cat's head as she was being treated by the vet>

14th Century

First Known Use of gentle

14th century

Rhymes with gentle

cental, dental, dentil, lentil, mental, rental

GENTLE Defined for Kids

gentle

play

adjective gen·tle \ˈjen-t^əl\

Definition of gentle for Students

gentler

gentlest

1 : having or showing a kind and quiet nature : not harsh, stern, or violent <He was a large but gentle man.>
2 : not hard or forceful <a gentle wind>
3 : not strong or harsh in quality or effect <a gentle soap>
4 : not steep or sharp <gentle hills>