gradually

Everyday

Gradually means slowly, a little at a time, over a period, not all at once or suddenly. tree →

In the lessons

In science it describes slow changes: ice gradually melts, a plant gradually grows, the sky gradually gets dark, water gradually evaporates. In maths a line that rises gradually has a gentle slope; a number that gradually increases goes up in small steps. In stories it shows change over time: «gradually she began to feel better». Opposite: suddenly. Phrases: gradually increase, gradually improve, gradually get used to.

Examples

• The ice cube gradually melted in the sun. tree →
• My reading gradually got better with practice. tree →
• The sky gradually turned from orange to dark blue. tree →
• Add the flour gradually and keep stirring. tree →
• The temperature gradually dropped during the night. tree →
• The path rose gradually up the hill. tree →
• Gradually, the new boy made friends in the class. tree →
• It wound itself round the stem and gradually got higher and higher. tree →

Note

Adverb from the adjective «gradual» (a gradual change). Opposite: «suddenly», «abruptly». Spelled with «-ually»: gradu-al-ly. In maths problems «gradually» means small steady changes, not a jump.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Sefer Yetzirah is read as teaching that the world came from God by stages and not all at once. This stepwise coming forth is called emanation. In the primary lessons: In science it describes slow changes: ice gradually melts, a plant gradually grows, the sky gradually gets dark, water gradually evaporates. In maths a line that rises gradually has a gentle slope; a number that gradually increases goes up in small steps. In stories it shows change over time: «gradually she began to feel better». Opposite: suddenly. Phrases: gradually increase, gradually improve, gradually get used to.

Examples

• Our author is therefore endeavoring to show that the whole universe emanated gradually from the spirit of the one living God. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• It teaches that a first cause, eternal, all-wise, almighty and holy, is the origin and the centre of the whole universe, from whom gradually all beings emanated. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →

Note

Adverb from the adjective «gradual» (a gradual change). Opposite: «suddenly», «abruptly». Spelled with «-ually»: gradu-al-ly. In maths problems «gradually» means small steady changes, not a jump.