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Intermediate Dictionary
       

gen·tle

gentle

 
 
pronunciation:
jen tl
features:
Word History, Word Builder, Word Explorer
part of speech: adjective
inflections: gentler, gentlest
definition 1: kind; generous; mild.
We love him for his gentle ways.
synonyms:
amiable, humane, kind, mild, sweet, tender
antonyms:
ferocious, rough, stern
similar words:
affable, considerate, gracious, thoughtful
definition 2: soft; mild; not harsh or violent.
A gentle breeze blew through the leaves.
synonyms:
mild, soft
antonyms:
brutal, fierce, furious, hard, harsh, rough, severe, sharp, vicious, violent
similar words:
easy, light, mellow, peaceful
definition 3: gradual or mild; not steep or sudden.
The gentle slope was easy to hike.
synonyms:
gradual, mild
antonyms:
sharp, steep
similar words:
moderate, slight
definition 4: easy to manage or control.
He gave her a gentle horse to ride.
synonyms:
docile
similar words:
broken, domestic, meek, tame
derivations: gently (adv.), gentleness (n.)
Word History
Gentle comes from a Latin word that means "of the same family or race." The present use of "gentle" first occurred in the 1200s.
Word Builder: gentle +
  • gently:
    in a gentle way.
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