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Definition of gentle
gentler
play \ˈjent-lər, -təl-ər\;gentlest
play \ˈjent-ləst, -təl-əst\1a : belonging to a family of high social stationb archaic : chivalrousc : honorable, distinguished; specifically : of or relating to a gentlemand : kind, amiable —used especially in address as a complimentary epithet gentle readere : suited to a person of high social station the gentle art of sophisticated conversation
2a : tractable, docile a gentle horseb : free from harshness, sternness, or violence used gentle persuasion
4 : moderate His doctor recommended gentle exercise.
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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.
Recent Examples of gentle from the Web
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Wray was tall, thin, gentle-seeming, one of those really nice guys who will take your car to the shop for you.
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Return paste to a gentle simmer, then let cool. Do Ahead: Sichuan chili paste can be made 1 month ahead.
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And with that, here are a few Tewligan's memories culled from a Facebook post, with gentle editing to counter social media shortcuts.
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Some add a gentle, updated touch to the traditional, and some take a completely out-of-the-box approach.
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Manhattan's Michael J. McHugh was often the quiet man in the back of the room but his gentle nature could not be mistaken for the driving force in many lasting Will County organizations, his family said.
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Kiwanaku let his band recede into the background and finger-picked an acoustic guitar while singing with gentle melancholy.
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Consider the infinitely wise, gentle and loving E.T., who will return to Earth this weekend in Brooklyn.
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When the team tested the system on ida from 120,000 feet, her spinning slowed from 400 rpm to 22 rpm, a gentle pirouette.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gentle'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of gentle
Middle English gentyl “of aristocratic birth, exhibiting ideal characteristics of the wellborn, of excellent quality, gracious, courteous, kind,” borrowed from Anglo-French gentil, borrowed from Medieval Latin gentīlis “of one's own house, of good family or breeding, native, of a non-Jewish nation or faith, not Christian, pagan,” going back to Latin “of a Roman gens, of one's own family or tribe, native,” from gent-, gens “race, people, gens” + -īlis, suffix of affiliation
Examples of gentle in a Sentence
the archbishop treated both the gentles and the commoners with respect and kindness
Origin and Etymology of gentle
Middle English gentil (usually plural), borrowed from Anglo-French, derivative of gentil “of aristocratic birth, 1gentle”
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
Origin and Etymology of gentle
Middle English gentylen, derivative of gentyl 1gentle
GENTLE Defined for English Language Learners
gentle
playDefinition of gentle for English Language Learners
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: having or showing a kind and quiet nature : not harsh or violent
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: not hard or forceful
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: not strong or harsh in effect or quality
GENTLE Defined for Kids
gentle
playDefinition 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
gentleness
\ˈjen-təl-nəs\ noungently
\ˈjent-lē\ adverbLearn More about gentle
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See words that rhyme with gentle Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gentle Spanish Central: Translation of gentle Nglish: Translation of gentle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of gentle for Arabic speakers
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