gradual

noun, often capitalized grad·u·al \ ˈgra-jə-wəl , -jəl , ˈgraj-wəl \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of gradual

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

gradual

adjective

Definition of gradual

1 : proceeding by steps or degrees

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

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gradually

adverb

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gradualness

noun

See gradual defined for English-language learners

See gradual defined for kids

Examples of gradual in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of gradual from the Web

The gradual warm-up comes after a weekend where the Kansas City area saw record cold temps as the low temperature hit 16 degrees Saturday, breaking the previous April 7 record of 18 degrees set in 2007.

— robert a. cronkleton, kansascity, "Get ready, Kansas City: Spring is about to make an appearance | The Kansas City Star," 8 Apr. 2018
And while workers would, without a doubt, like to see their pay rise more quickly, the gradual pace is comforting for some investors, who have been watching for any hints that the economy is overheating.

— ben casselman and jim tankersley, New York Times, "More Jobs, Faster Growth and Now, the Threat of a Trade War," 6 Apr. 2018
Steeper slopes tend to cause faster storm surges than gradual slopes.

— tristan baurick, NOLA.com, "Like the Louisiana coast, the Gulf seafloor is rapidly eroding, research finds," 5 Apr. 2018
Despite these gradual gains, the largest strike wave in U.S. history was still to come, with two million Americans walking off the job in 1946.

— david sessions, The New Republic, "The Meaning of American Factories," 2 Apr. 2018
Its gradual buildup has created glaciers on Alaska roadways and has in midwinter forced people from cabins as their property slowly transformed into a skating rink.

— ned rozell, Anchorage Daily News, "Overflow ice: Like an oasis in the cold desert of the Arctic," 31 Mar. 2018
The cuts in state funding began when Ohio started a gradual phase-out of tangible personal property tax reimbursements to local school districts.

— mike peticca, cleveland.com, "Committee for Solon Schools working to pass May 8 operating levy," 30 Mar. 2018
The effects of King’s death varied in large part on how one perceived him — whether as noble peacemaker, societal radical or too-gradual reformer.

— jonathan m. pitts, baltimoresun.com, "Martin Luther King Jr.'s death changed lives — and Baltimore's civil rights movement," 30 Mar. 2018
The rounded pad in the curler gives a soft, gradual, not aggressive curl.

— kathleen hou, The Cut, "4 Experts on the Best Makeup Buys at Sephora Under $60," 30 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gradual.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of gradual

Medieval Latin gradualis, from Latin gradus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1658

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

gradual Synonyms

GRADUAL Defined for English Language Learners

gradual

adjective

Definition of gradual for English Language Learners

: moving or changing in small amounts : happening in a slow way over a long period of time
: not steep

GRADUAL Defined for Kids

gradual

adjective grad·u·al \ ˈgra-jə-wəl \

Definition of gradual for Students

: moving or happening by steps or degrees We watched the gradual approach of the train.

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gradually

adverb

Rain gradually ended.

Word Root of gradual

The Latin word gradus, meaning “step” or “degree,” gives us the root grad. Words from the Latin gradus have something to do with steps. Anything gradual happens slowly one step at a time. To degrade is to reduce from a higher to a lower degree. A grade is a step in school made up of one year of work. Even the word degree itself has gradus as its root.