gradual

1 of 2

adjective

grad·​u·​al ˈgra-jə-wəl 

-jəl,

ˈgraj-wəl

1

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

2

: proceeding by steps or degrees

gradually adverb

gradualness noun

gradual

2 of 2

noun

often capitalized

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

Synonyms

Adjective

• gradational
• incremental
• phased
• piecemeal
• step-by-step

Examples of gradual in a Sentence

Adjective

We noticed a gradual change in temperature.

The hospital has made gradual improvements in health care.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Touchless fingerprint verification and authentication are key to this democratization, thanks to their scalability and the gradual reduction in costs. —Tony Bradley, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023

It’s been a gradual slide, starting in the mid-2000s, around the time the Iraq War was going south both in public opinion and actual events on the ground. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 29 Nov. 2023

It is characterized by the gradual degeneration of dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain, leading to a variety of symptoms including tremors, stiff muscles, confusion, sleep problems and difficulty with balance and coordination. —Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2023

This budget-friendly alarm clock produces a gradual glow 10, 30, or 60 minutes before the set wake up time. —Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Nov. 2023

What Kore-eda doles out are not revelatory surprises so much as gradual enlightenments, and our attitude toward the characters is forbidden to settle or to stick. —Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 22 Nov. 2023

The sector went through a double-digit slump over the summer but has mounted a gradual recovery. —Damian Garde, STAT, 22 Nov. 2023

Other factors like age, health conditions, and individual immune responses may also contribute to the gradual decrease in vaccine effectiveness, Yancey said. —Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 21 Nov. 2023

But the original rules and the gradual dwindling of board members, due to conflicts of interest and a dispute with Musk, could help explain how a small group could sack Altman without chairman Greg Brockman’s involvement, and eject both Brockman and Altman from the panel. —WIRED, 19 Nov. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Medieval Latin gradualis, from Latin gradus

Noun

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

First Known Use

Adjective

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

gradual

adjective

grad·​u·​al

ˈgraj-(ə-)wəl,

ˈgraj-əl

1

: proceeding by steps or degrees

2

: moving or changing by slight degrees

gradually adverb

gradualness noun