Definition of GRADUAL

gradual

Plural: graduals

Noun

  • A hymn or chant sung during Mass.
  • (Roman Catholic Church) an antiphon (usually from the Book of Psalms) immediately after the epistle at Mass
  • An antiphon or responsory after the epistle, in the Mass, which was sung on the steps, or while the deacon ascended the steps.
  • A service book containing the musical portions of the Mass.

Adjective

  • proceeding in small stages
    • "a gradual increase in prices"
  • (of a topographical gradient) not steep or abrupt
    • "a gradual slope"

Adj

  • Proceeding or advancing by small, slow, regular steps or degrees

Examples

  • a gradual increase of knowledge; a gradual decline
  • Playing GRADUAL earned him a respectful nod from his Scrabble opponent.

Origin / Etymology

From Medieval Latin graduālis, from Latin gradus (“step”), from Proto-Indo-European *gʰradʰ-, *gʰredʰ- (“to walk, go”). Cognate with Gothic 𐌲𐍂𐌹𐌸𐍃 (griþs, “step, grade”), Bavarian Gritt (“step, stride”).

Antonyms

steep, sudden, abrupt

Scrabble Score: 9

gradual: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
gradual: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
gradual: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 12

gradual: valid Words With Friends Word