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

• incremental
• phased

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

Creating climbing communities The gradual spread of climbing gyms has incrementally reshaped the culture of the sport — and, in places without mountains or existing climbing scenes, built new climbing communities from scratch. —Kelli María Korducki, HubSpot, 17 Oct. 2025

Armstrong argues that the jump likely reflects more of a gradual increase over time, due to common economic factors across the region, and notes that residents most often became homeless due to job and income losses. —Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025

We are told that the change will be gradual, with no bulldozers showing up en masse on January 1st. —Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025

Improving conditions and a gradual warming trend will follow for the remainder of the week. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

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