Words / C1

GRAJ-oo-uh-l/ˈɡrædʒuəl/

Gradual means happening slowly, in stages: a gradual rise, gradual improvement. Gradually (already in the dictionary) is the adverb. Sudden is the opposite; cumulative (already in the dictionary) is about adding up, which may or may not be slow. Do not call a one-night crash gradual.

Meaning

Happening slowly, in stages, not all at once.

Examples

• “Improvement was gradual: five marks a term, not a miracle week.”
• “Progress was gradual: five marks a term, which is still progress.”
• “A gradual slope is geography; a gradual policy change should still have dates.”

Good to know

Slow and stepwise. Adverb: gradually. Opposite: sudden. Cousin: cumulative (by addition, not necessarily slow).

Near in meaning

slow

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