gently

gently — adverb

1. in a way that shows care, kindness, and a calm attitude toward someone or someth

1.adverbB1
Definition

in a way that shows care, kindness, and a calm attitude toward someone or something, especially when handling a person, animal, or emotional situation.

Example

The nurse gently wrapped the bandage around the child's arm.

verb + gently: action done in a kind, careful way

Sivan gently reminded her grandmother to take the medicine.

gently + verb: softening a potentially awkward reminder

Common collocations
  • speak gently
  • touch gently
  • remind gently
  • hold gently
  • pat gently
Synonyms
  • softly

    focuses on quietness of voice or touch, less emphasis on emotional care

  • kindly

    emphasises a warm, generous intention rather than physical softness

  • tenderly

    stronger emotional warmth, often used in close relationships

Antonyms
  • harshly

    rough or unkind in manner or words

  • roughly

    using force without care for the other person's comfort

Grammar Patterns

gently + verb

verb + gently

Usage Note

Often used with verbs of speaking (said, asked, told, reminded) or handling (held, touched, patted) to soften the action with warmth.

Common Mistakes

She gently spoke to him.
She spoke gently to him.
As a manner adverb, 'gently' usually comes after the verb, not before, when the verb carries the main action of speaking.
He is a gently person.
He is a gentle person.
'Gently' is an adverb; use 'gentle' (adjective) to describe a noun.

2. using very little physical force or pressure; in a light, soft way that does not

2.adverbB1
Definition

using very little physical force or pressure; in a light, soft way that does not push or press hard.

Example

Stir the sauce gently over low heat so it does not burn.

verb + gently: a light physical action

Cyrus gently pressed the doorbell and waited for an answer.

Common collocations
  • stir gently
  • press gently
  • tap gently
  • push gently
  • fall gently
Synonyms
  • lightly

    emphasises low weight or pressure, often more neutral in tone

  • softly

    focuses on the absence of hardness in the contact

Antonyms
  • forcefully

    with great strength or power

  • hard

    with firm pressure; the opposite of a light touch

Grammar Patterns

verb + gently

gently + verb

Usage Note

Common with cooking verbs (stir, fold, simmer) and physical actions (push, press, tap, rub). Contrasts with 'hard', 'firmly', or 'forcefully'.

3. to a small degree or changing little by little over time, not suddenly or sharpl

3.adverbB2
Definition

to a small degree or changing little by little over time, not suddenly or sharply.

Example

The path climbs gently for about two kilometres before reaching the lake.

gently + verb: describing a gradual slope

Bao's driveway rises gently from the main road up to the garage.

gently + verb: describing a gradual slope or incline

Common collocations
  • climb gently
  • slope gently
  • increase gently
  • rise gently
  • decrease gently
Synonyms
  • gradually

    emphasises the slow, step-by-step nature of the change, not necessarily the smallness

  • slightly

    focuses on the small degree of change, without implying a process over time

  • slowly

    focuses on the low speed of change, not the lightness of degree

Antonyms
  • suddenly

    happening all at once rather than step by step

  • sharply

    changing steeply or dramatically

Grammar Patterns

gently + verb

gently + adjective

verb + gently

Usage Note

Often used with verbs of movement, change, or slope (rise, climb, slope, increase, decrease, lower). Distinguish from sense 2: sense 3 describes degree or rate of change, not the force of an action.

Common Mistakes

The temperature rose gently and then suddenly dropped.
The temperature rose slightly and then suddenly dropped.
For a very small amount (not a process over time), 'slightly' is clearer than 'gently'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four describe a warm or careful way of acting, but they differ in what they emphasise. 'Gently' is the broadest — it covers both emotional care (handling a pet with gentleness) and physical softness (a gentle touch). 'Softly' focuses mainly on sound or texture: a voice can be soft, but soft hands do not necessarily imply kindness. 'Kindly' puts the emphasis on the giver's goodwill — a kindly remark shows generous intent even if the delivery is direct. 'Tenderly' is the most emotionally intense, often used in close personal relationships: a mother holds her baby tenderly, or a partner touches another's face tenderly. For a doctor reassuring a patient, 'gently' or 'kindly' sounds professional; 'tenderly' would feel too personal.

gently ↗softly ↗kindly ↗tenderly

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • very gently
  • quite gently
  • so gently
  • incredibly gently

Phrases

  • as gently as possible
  • gently but firmly

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

From the adjective 'gentle', which entered English through Old French 'gentil' (meaning well-born, noble, or courteous) and ultimately from Latin 'gentilis' (of the same clan). Over time, the meaning shifted from 'noble birth' to 'refined in manners' and finally to 'mild, soft in nature'. The adverbial suffix '-ly' was added to form 'gently', first recorded in English around the 14th century.