gen·tle
Pronounced:
/ˈʤɛntl̟/
Function:
adjectiveInflected forms:
gen·tler /ˈʤɛntlɚ/ gen·tlest /ˈʤɛntləst/ Meaning:
[also more gen*tle; most gen*tle] 1 : having or showing a kind and quiet nature : not harsh or violent ▪ a very gentle man/dog ▪ a dog that is gentle with children ▪ Your mother has a gentle manner/voice/smile. ▪ gentle eyes ▪ a gentle sense of humor ▪ a gentle giant [=a large but gentle person or animal]
2 a : not hard or forceful ▪ a gentle rain/breeze/wind ▪ gentle movements ▪ a gentle push ▪ Apply gentle [=soft] pressure to the area. ▪ I heard a gentle knock at the door. b : not strong or harsh in effect or quality ▪ a gentle soap = a soap that is gentle on the skin ▪ It's a delicate problem that requires gentle handling/treatment. ▪ The job requires a gentle touch. ▪ The cold snap was a gentle reminder that winter was coming. ▪ gentle flavors
3 : not steep or sharp ▪ a gentle slope/hill ▪ a gentle curve
2 a : not hard or forceful ▪ a gentle rain/breeze/wind ▪ gentle movements ▪ a gentle push ▪ Apply gentle [=soft] pressure to the area. ▪ I heard a gentle knock at the door. b : not strong or harsh in effect or quality ▪ a gentle soap = a soap that is gentle on the skin ▪ It's a delicate problem that requires gentle handling/treatment. ▪ The job requires a gentle touch. ▪ The cold snap was a gentle reminder that winter was coming. ▪ gentle flavors
3 : not steep or sharp ▪ a gentle slope/hill ▪ a gentle curve
—gen·tle·ness /ˈʤɛntl̟nəs/ noun [noncount] ▪ the gentleness of his manner ▪ the gentleness of the breeze
/ˈʤɛntl̟nəs/ noun [noncount] ▪ the gentleness of his manner ▪ the gentleness of the breeze—gent·ly /ˈʤɛntli/ adverb ▪ She spoke to him gently. ▪ The vase is very fragile, so handle it gently.
/ˈʤɛntli/ adverb ▪ She spoke to him gently. ▪ The vase is very fragile, so handle it gently.