Words / A2

JENTL-ee/ˈdʒentli/

Gently means in a kind, careful, or soft way: close it gently, speak gently, boil gently. Gentle is the adjective. Softly is a cousin for sound and touch. Gentleman is a person. Do not write gently when you mean gentleman, or gently vs generally.

Meaning

In a kind, careful, or soft way.

Examples

• “Close the train door gently so it does not slam.”
• “Put the eggs in gently so they do not crack.”
• “The nurse spoke gently to the tired child.”

Good to know

close it gently / speak gently. Adjective: gentle. Mix-up: gentleman, generally.

Near in meaning

softly

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