gradually
- 01 B1 Intermediate
happening slowly and in small steps over a period of time.
occurring by degrees or in a slow, progressive manner rather than suddenly.
Simple“The sun went down and the sky gradually turned from blue to dark purple.”
In context“The local economy began to recover gradually as new small businesses opened in the previously abandoned industrial district.”
UsageTypically placed before the main verb or at the end of a clause to modify the pace of an action.
Teacher's tipLearners often confuse this with 'slowly'; explain that 'gradually' implies a series of small, connected steps or a smooth transition.
PitfallThe weather gradually became cold. The weather gradually became colder.When using 'gradually' to describe a change, it is more natural to use a comparative adjective like 'colder' or 'better'.
Usage gradually develop · gradually extend · gradually increase
“Gradually, they unearthed fragments of their family life - Moissés's shorts, Yusmani's Bible, and an unfinished shopping list - a sign they were getting closer to what had once been their home.”
“As the sky darkened, gradually at first and then quickly, people broke into applause and cheered.”
From gradual + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.