gradual

grad·u·al

Use gradual in a sentence

adjective

The definition of gradual is something that changes or progresses slowly or over time.

When a mountain loses incline over a very large space so there are no steep drop-offs, this is an example of a gradual decline.
When your health very slowly starts to get better over time, this is an example of gradual improvement.

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"gradual." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 20 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Gradual>.

APA Style

gradual. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Gradual

gradual

taking place by almost imperceptible steps or degrees; developing little by little, not sharply or suddenly

Origin of gradual

Medieval Latin gradualis from Classical Latin gradus: see grade

a set of usually Scriptural verses following the Epistle at Mass
an official book containing the words and musical notation for the parts of the Mass sung by participants other than the celebrant
in full Gra·du·a′le Ro·ma′num

Origin of gradual

ML graduale, book of hymns orig. sung on steps of a pulpit < L gradus

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MLA Style

"gradual." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 20 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Gradual>.

APA Style

gradual. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Gradual

gradual

adjective

Occurring or developing slowly or by small increments: gradual erosion; a gradual slope.

noun

Roman Catholic Church

The liturgical book containing the chants for the Mass.
A biblical text sung between the Epistle and the Gospel of the Mass.

Origin of gradual

Middle English having steps from Medieval Latin graduālis from Latin gradus step ; see grade . N., Middle English from Medieval Latin graduāle the part of the service sung by the choir from the altar steps, gradual from neuter sing. of graduālis

Related Forms:

grad′u·al·ly
adverb

grad′u·al·ness
noun

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"gradual." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 20 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Gradual>.

APA Style

gradual. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Gradual

Adjective

(comparative more gradual, superlative most gradual)

Proceeding by steps or small degrees; advancing step by step, as in ascent or descent or from one state to another; regularly progressive; slow.
a gradual increase of knowledge; a gradual decline

Antonyms

Noun

(plural graduals)

(Roman Catholic Church) An antiphon or responsory after the epistle, in the Mass, which was sung on the steps, or while the deacon ascended the steps.
(Roman Catholic Church) A service book containing the musical portions of the Mass.

Origin

From Medieval Latin gradualis, from Latin gradus (“step”), from Proto-Indo-European *gʰradʰ-, *gʰredʰ- (“to walk, go”). Cognate with Gothic (griþs, “step, grade”), Bavarian Gritt (“step, stride”).