gently

[ jent-lee ]

adverb

1. in a kind and amiable manner:

   When a child makes a social mistake, an adult should gently and clearly explain what to do in the future to replace the inappropriate behavior.

2. in a way that is not rough, harsh, or violent:

   New or gently used toys, for both indoor and outdoor use, are requested for donation.

3. in a way that is not extreme; moderately:

   The ground sloped gently downward until it was almost level with the land on the other side of the stream.

4. softly; quietly:

   He sings beautifully and easily at full voice, yet sounds equally compelling when singing more gently and lyrically.

Other Words From

• o·ver·gen·tly adverb
• un·gen·tly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of gently¹

gentl(e) ( def ) + -y ¹( def )

Example Sentences

Pumpkin and pecan pie are both custards in my book and they should be baked at a lower temperature to gently and evenly coagulate the eggs.

From Salon

Zardoya playfully alluded to the topicality of “Submarine” on “No One Noticed,” where she gently taunted the crowd, “If you want your ex back, sing it.”

From Los Angeles Times

Yet one of his best-regarded productions was the Kinks’ 1967 “Waterloo Sunset,” a gently psychedelic pop song about a guy watching two lovers cross a bridge over the River Thames.

From Los Angeles Times

At benches they brush and gently scrape dust from fossilized bone, with the gentle dexterity of dentists cleaning Jurassic-era teeth.

From Los Angeles Times

Then he gently squeezes a bellow, pouring smoke into the hives of honeybees in his garden.

From Salon

Related Words

• lightly
• mildly
• smoothly