Gradual definition
Gradual erosion; a gradual slope.
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.
Other Word Forms
Noun
Origin of gradual
- Middle English having steps from Medieval Latin graduālis from Latin gradus step 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
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- 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”).
From Wiktionary