Word
gentleness
Phoneticsgen·tle·ness, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdʒɛnəɫnəs/
UK/dʒˈɛntəlnəs/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the quality of being kind, soft, and not causing pain or harm. You use this to describe someone who is calm and careful with their actions.
n. the quality of being kind, mild, or soft in manner or touch. Often associated with a lack of harshness or violence.
Examples
“The doctor's gentleness made the child feel safe.”
“Despite his large size, the elephant moved with a surprising gentleness as it approached the water.”
“The poet's gentleness of spirit is evident in the way he treats even the most difficult subjects with a quiet, almost reverent tone.”
Examples
simple
“The doctor's gentleness made the child feel safe.”
contextual
“Despite his large size, the elephant moved with a surprising gentleness as it approached the water.”
complex
“The poet's gentleness of spirit is evident in the way he treats even the most difficult subjects with a quiet, almost reverent tone.”
Real-World Examples
“Elsewhere, there are some moments of gentleness, like Cameron’s lovely dad and his no-nonsense wisdom.” Etymology
From Middle English gentilnesse; equivalent to gentle + -ness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/gentleness