gradually

[ graj-oo-uh-lee ]

adverb

1. by small degrees or little by little:

   The hurricane moved northwestward to northward for two days, gradually weakened to a depression, and then turned eastward.

   Over the following decades, the curriculum was gradually expanded, with additional offerings in history, government, languages, geology, and geography.

Other Words From

• un·grad·u·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of gradually¹

gradual ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

The Senboku Hottokenai Network Project is an example initiative that gradually transformed vacant building stocks into supportive housing for older people, a group home for people with disabilities, and a community restaurant.

From Science Daily

It was a role he had dreamed of having since childhood, but one he said he had gradually began to realise he could not keep.

From BBC

Four-legged animals that start walking and gradually pick up speed will automatically fall into a trot at some point.

From Science Daily

After the repeal, the carryover effect of plastic bag purchases declined gradually and did not revert to the pre-policy baseline after 18 months, which was the end of the researchers' analysis time frame.

From Science Daily

Bank governor Andrew Bailey said rates were likely to "continue to fall gradually from here”, but cautioned they could not be cut "too quickly or by too much”.

From BBC

Related Words

• constantly
• continuously
• deliberately
• gently
• increasingly
• moderately
• progressively
• regularly
• steadily