gradually

gradually — adverb

1. happening or changing in small steps over time, rather than suddenly or all at o

1.adverbB2
Definition

happening or changing in small steps over time, rather than suddenly or all at once

Example

The sky grew darker gradually as the sun dropped below the hills.

adverb placed at end of clause; position is flexible

Diego gradually learned to prepare his grandmother's tamale recipe without help.

adverb before main verb: gradually + verb

Common collocations
  • gradually improve
  • gradually change
  • gradually increase
  • gradually decrease
  • gradually replace
  • gradually introduce
  • gradually emerge
  • gradually disappear
  • learn gradually
  • happen gradually
  • grow gradually
Synonyms
  • slowly

    focuses on low speed; gradually emphasises step-by-step progression over time, while slowly only tells you the pace is unhurried

  • steadily

    adds a sense of consistent, even progress; gradually allows for uneven change

  • progressively

    implies movement forward through clear stages; more formal than gradually

  • little by little

    idiomatic and more conversational; stresses each small increment

Antonyms
  • suddenly

    the opposite of gradual change — all at once rather than step by step

  • abruptly

    suggests a change that is not only fast but unexpected or jarring

  • immediately

    describes change that takes effect at once, with no delay or slow build-up

Usage Note

Commonly appears right before the main verb (gradually improved) or at the end of a clause (improved gradually). The pre-verb position is more frequent in formal writing. A few common verbs paired with gradually include improve, change, increase, decrease, replace, and introduce.

Word family

  • gradual
    adjectiveB2
  • gradualness
    nounC1
  • gradation
    nounC1
  • gradualism
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four words describe change that is not instant, but each adds a different shade. Slowly is the most general — it only tells you the pace is low, with no implication about stages or consistency (The river flowed slowly). Steadily adds a sense of even, uninterrupted progression, often with a positive tone (Her grades rose steadily). Progressively implies clear forward movement through identifiable steps or stages, and is common in technical or formal contexts (The software was progressively rolled out to all branches). Little by little is the most informal and idiomatic; it emphasises each tiny increment, often in everyday situations where change is barely noticeable at first (Little by little, the garden came back to life). Use gradually when you want to stress that change happens in small, possibly uneven steps over a period of time — for instance, a colour fading over weeks or a city transforming over years.

slowly ↗steadily ↗progressivelylittle by little

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • very gradually
  • more gradually
  • only gradually

Phrases

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Derived from Latin 'gradus' meaning a step or a stage. The adjective 'gradual' (taking place in steps) entered English through French 'graduel', and the adverb 'gradually' was formed by adding the '-ly' suffix. The core image is of movement one step at a time.