imperceptibly

Everyday

1. So slowly or slightly that you cannot notice it happening. tree →
2. In a way too small to see, hear or feel. tree →

In the lessons

In science, many changes happen imperceptibly: plants grow, the hour hand moves, mountains wear down, continents drift. In stories, light fades imperceptibly at dusk or a character nods imperceptibly — so small that others hardly see it. Phrases: change imperceptibly, nod imperceptibly, imperceptibly slowly.

Examples

• The hour hand moves imperceptibly round the clock. tree →
• Day turned imperceptibly into night. tree →
• She nodded imperceptibly to show she agreed. tree →
• The glacier moves imperceptibly, only a little each day. tree →
• My little sister is growing imperceptibly taller. tree →
• The temperature dropped imperceptibly through the evening. tree →

Note

Adjective «imperceptible» (not able to be noticed); opposite «perceptibly», «noticeably». Root: «perceive» = notice. Spelling: im-per-cep-ti-bly.