gradual

¹grad·u·al

noun, often capitalized \ˈgra-jə-wəl, -jəl, ˈgraj-wəl\

Definition of GRADUAL

1

:  a book containing the choral parts of the Mass

2

:  a pair of verses (as from the Psalms) proper after the Epistle in the Mass

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Origin of GRADUAL

Middle English, from Medieval Latin graduale, from Latin gradus step; from its being sung on the steps of the altar

First Known Use: 15th century

²gradual

adjective

: moving or changing in small amounts : happening in a slow way over a long period of time

: not steep

Full Definition of GRADUAL

1

:  proceeding by steps or degrees

2

:  moving, changing, or developing by fine or often imperceptible degrees

— grad·u·al·ly adverb

— grad·u·al·ness noun

Examples of GRADUAL

1. We noticed a gradual change in temperature.
2. The hospital has made gradual improvements in health care.

Origin of GRADUAL

Medieval Latin gradualis, from Latin gradus

First Known Use: 1658

Related to GRADUAL

Synonyms

gradational, incremental, phased, piecemeal, step-by-step

Antonyms

abrupt, sudden

Related Words

progressive, stepped, tapered; imperceptible, inching; decrescent, increscent

Near Antonyms

discontinuous, saltatory; acute, sharp; changeable, dynamic, meteoric, volatile

Rhymes with GRADUAL

agile, fragile, vagile