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Gentle: meaning, definitions and examples

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gentle

 

[ ˈdʒɛnt(ə)l ]

Adjective
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

behavior

having or showing a mild, kind, or tender temperament; not harsh or severe

Synonyms

calm, kind, mild, soft, tender

Examples of usage

  • She has a gentle voice that soothes everyone around her.
  • The gentle touch of his hand made her feel safe and loved.
  • He gave her a gentle smile to reassure her.
  • The gentle way he spoke to the children showed his caring nature.
  • The gentle breeze rustled the leaves in the trees.
Context #2 | Adjective

impact

moderate in action, effect, or degree; not strong or violent

Synonyms

light, mild, moderate, soft, subtle

Examples of usage

  • The medication has a gentle effect on the body without causing any side effects.
  • He gave a gentle push to help her start moving.
  • The gentle slope of the hill made it easy to climb.
  • The gentle rain soaked the ground slowly and steadily.
  • The gentle heat of the sun warmed their faces.

Translations

Translations of the word "gentle" in other languages:

🇵🇹 gentil

🇮🇳 सौम्य

🇩🇪 sanft

🇮🇩 lembut

🇺🇦 ніжний

🇵🇱 delikatny

🇯🇵 優しい (yasashii)

🇫🇷 doux

🇪🇸 suave

🇹🇷 nazik

🇰🇷 부드러운 (budeureoun)

🇸🇦 لطيف (lateef)

🇨🇿 jemný

🇸🇰 jemný

🇨🇳 温柔 (wēnróu)

🇸🇮 nežen

🇮🇸 blíður

🇰🇿 жұмсақ

🇬🇪 თბილი (tbili)

🇦🇿 incə

🇲🇽 suave

Etymology

The word 'gentle' originated from the Middle English word 'gentil', which came from the Old French word 'gentil' meaning 'high-born, noble, of good family or breeding'. Over time, the meaning of 'gentle' evolved to represent characteristics such as kindness, tenderness, and moderation. The concept of gentleness has been valued in various cultures throughout history as a desirable trait in individuals. In modern usage, 'gentle' is commonly associated with softness, calmness, and compassion.

See also: gent, gently, gentry.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,817, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.