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

Prepare for limited shade and a long but gradual climb with a few steep stretches. —Jenna Scatena, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2023

As a result, regulators may be unaware of many deals that lead to gradual market concentration, which allows providers to demand higher prices from insurers and employer health plans. —Harris Meyer, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2023

The research shows that even gradual changes can improve heart health and slow down aging, Makarem said. —Linda Carroll, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2023

While contemporary audiences may be more willing to believe that Elvis could have been a cruel husband, Coppola challenges them not just to pity his poor wife, imprisoned by luxury, but to empathize with her gradual recognition of her misery. —Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2023

But the amendments were expected to significantly soften the immediate financial impact to the state and hospitals, since gradual wage schedules were introduced in lieu of an instantaneous increase for all. —Mackenzie Mays, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2023

Will this strategy achieve that gradual cool-off the Fed is going for? —Aly J. Yale, wsj.com, 2 Nov. 2023

Israeli military experts are casting the invasion as phased and gradual. —Ronen Bergman, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2023

Thanks to gradual recovery in domestic demand, imports also fell at a slower pace, down 6.2%. —Reuters, CNN, 13 Oct. 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