gentlegen‧tle /ˈdʒentl/ ●●○ S3 W3 adjective 
Arthur was a very gentle, caring person.gentle voice/smile/touch ‘Where does it hurt?’ she asked in a gentle voice.gentle with Be gentle with the baby.2not extreme, strong, or violentgentle exercise/walk/stroll etc a program of regular gentle exercise the gentle pressure of Jill’s hand After a little gentle persuasion, she agreed to go back to her family. Melt the butter over a gentle heat (=low heat).3a gentle wind or rain is soft and light: a gentle breeze4a gentle hill or slope is not steep or sharp: the gentle slopes of Mt Pelée—gentleness noun [uncountable] → gently
WORD ORIGINgentle
Origin:
1200-1300 French gentil, from Latin gentilis ‘of a family, of the same family’, from gens; ➔ GENTILEEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a sweet, gentle girl who wouldn't hurt a fly
- Her voice is gentle and warm.
- Mia's such a gentle person.
- My father was a professional boxer, but at home with the family he was always quiet and gentle.
- She lay on the beach enjoying the gentle breeze.
- the gentle warmth of the fire
- The program contains nine gentle exercise routines set to music.
- It is also occasionally found growing in small colonies in shallower parts of lakes with gentle water turbulence.
- Oh, Lee, you're the gentlest person I know.
- On a sunny afternoon we explored the gentler scenery near Henley and Oxford.
- She looks so gentle, so much at peace.
- The gentle and yet rapid response that one achieves has to be experienced to be understood.
Longman Language Activatorkind
someone who is kind tries to help people and make them happy or comfortable, and shows that they care about them: · Everyone loved Mary. She was the kindest, most generous person in the world.kind to: · He's a good brother. He's always been kind to me.it is kind of somebody (to do something): · "Karen gave me a lift to the station." "That was kind of her."
kind behaviour: · What this child needs is a little love and kindness.· She was touched by this simple act of kindness.kindness to: · I shall never forget her kindness to me.
especially spoken someone who is nice is kind and friendly, and often helpful: · I've got a nice boss, and the pay's good.· "She offered to pay for everything." "That was a nice gesture."nice to: · Why can't they just be nice to each other?it is nice of somebody (to do something): · It was nice of them to invite us.
someone who is considerate or thoughtful thinks about other people's feelings and tries to do things that will make them happy or comfortable: · Louis was always considerate towards other people.it is considerate/thoughtful of somebody (to do something): · It was considerate of them to warn us that they might be late.· "I didn't phone this afternoon. I thought you might be resting." "That was very thoughtful of you."
if you are good to someone, especially someone who is old, young, sick etc, you are kind to them and give them what they need: good to: · My stepfather's always been very good to me and treated me like one of his own children.it is good of somebody (to do something): · It's good of you to see me at such short notice.
someone who is gentle is nice and kind, and is never angry or violent: · My father was a professional boxer, but at home with the family he was always quiet and gentle.· a sweet, gentle girl who wouldn't hurt a fly
if you say that someone's heart is in the right place, you mean that they do not always do the right thing, but they are basically a good, kind person: · He can be rude and bad-tempered sometimes, but his heart's in the right place.
WORD SETSbackwater, nounbank, nounbank, verbbare, adjectivebarrier reef, nounbay, nounbayou, nounbeach, nounbeck, nounbelt, nounbillow, nounbiting, adjectivebitter, adjectiveblack ice, nounblast, nounblazing, adjectivebleach, verbblizzard, nounblow, verbblowy, adjectivebluff, nounbluster, verbblustery, adjectivebog, nounboiling, adjectiveboulder, nounbracing, adjectivebreaker, nounbreeze, nounbreezy, adjectivebrook, nounbrush, nounbrushwood, nounburn, nounbutte, nouncanyon, nouncascade, nouncataract, nouncave, nouncavern, nounchange, verbchasm, nounchoppy, adjectiveclap, nounclear, verbclement, adjectivecliff, nouncloud, nouncloudburst, nouncloudy, adjectivecoast, nouncoastal, adjectivecoastline, nouncone, nouncopse, nouncountry, nouncranny, nouncrater, nouncreation, nouncreep, verbcrisp, adjectivecrosswind, nouncumulus, nouncyclone, noundale, noundell, noundense, adjectivedew, noundewdrop, noundewfall, noundewy, adjectivedisgorge, verbdog days, noundownpour, noundownriver, adverbdownstream, adverbdownwind, adverbdrift, verbdrift, noundriftwood, noundrizzle, noundrop, verbdrop, noundrought, noundry, adjectivedry land, noundull, adjectivedune, nounduster, noundust storm, nouneast, adjectiveeddy, nounelectrical storm, nounequable, adjectiveeye, nounface, nounfail, verbfair, adjectivefall, nounfell, nounfen, nounfield, nounfierce, adjectivefiord, nounfirth, nounfjord, nounflood, verbflood, nounflood tide, nounflotsam, nounflow, nounflow, verbflower, nounflurry, nounfog, nounfogbound, adjectivefoggy, adjectivefoothill, nounfoothold, nounford, nounforeshore, nounforest, nounfoul, adjectivefreak, adjectivefreeze, nounfresh, adjectivefreshen, verbfreshwater, adjectivefrost, nounfury, noungale, noungale force, adjectivegap, noungentle, adjectivegeyser, nounglacial, adjectiveglen, noungnarled, adjectivegrassy, adjectivegreen, adjectivegreenery, nounground, nounground level, noungulley, noungully, noungust, noungust, verbgusty, adjectivehail, nounhailstone, nounhailstorm, nounhaze, nounheadwind, nounheath, nounheather, nounheat wave, nounhigh tide, nounhigh water, nounhill, nounhillock, nounhillside, nounhill station, nounhilly, adjectivehoarfrost, nounhot spring, nounhummock, nounhurricane, nounice, nouniceberg, nounice cap, nouninclement, adjectiveincline, nounIndian summer, nouninland, adjectiveinland, adverbinlet, nouninshore, adverbisland, nounisle, nounislet, nounjetsam, nounjungle, nounknoll, nounlake, nounlakeside, adjectiveledge, nounlightning, nounlip, nounloch, nounlough, nounlow tide, nounlow water, nounmarshland, nounmeadow, nounmere, nounmild, adjectivemillpond, nounmire, nounmist, nounmisty, adjectivemoan, verbmoan, nounmonsoon, nounmoonless, adjectivemoor, nounmoorland, nounMother Nature, nounmound, nounmountain, nounmountainous, adjectivemountainside, nounmountaintop, nounmouth, nounmudflat, nounmull, nounmurmur, verbmurmur, nounnarrows, nounnestle, verbnew moon, nounnook, nounnorth, adjectivenortheast, adjectivenortheaster, nounnortheasterly, adjectivenortherly, adjectivenorthwest, adjectivenorthwester, nounnorthwesterly, adjectivenotch, nounoasis, nounonshore, adjectiveooze, nounoutcrop, nounovercast, adjectiveozone, nounpack ice, nounpalisade, nounpanorama, nounparch, verbparched, adjectivepass, nounpatchy, adjectivepeak, nounpeal, nounpeasouper, nounpebble, nounpelt, verbpenumbra, nounperishing, adjectivepinewood, nounpinnacle, nounpitiless, adjectivepond, nounpour, verbprecipice, nounprospect, nounpuddle, nounquicksand, nounradiate, verbraging, adjectiverain, nounrainbow, nounrain drop, nounrainfall, nounrainstorm, nounrainwater, nounrainy, adjectiverange, nounrapids, nounrarefied, adjectiveravine, nounraw, adjectiverecede, verbreedy, adjectivereef, nounreservoir, nounridge, nounrift, nounrime, nounrise, verbrise, nounrock, nounrocky, adjectiveroll, verbrolling, adjectiverough, adjectiverural, adjectivescenery, nounscud, verbsea breeze, nounsea mist, nounset, verbshore, nounsky, nounslope, nounsludge, nounsnow, nounsnowbound, adjectivesnow-capped, adjectivesnowdrift, nounsnowfall, nounsnowflake, nounsnowstorm, nounsnowy, adjectivesouth, adjectivesoutheast, adjectivesoutheaster, nounsoutheasterly, adjectivesoutherly, adjectivesouthwest, adjectivesouthwesterly, adjectivespinney, nounspring, nounstream, nounsullen, adjectivesultry, adjectivesummer, nounsummit, nounsun, nounsundown, nounsun-drenched, adjectivesunrise, nounsunset, nounsunshine, nounswamp, nounsweep, verbswollen, adjectivetempestuous, adjectivethaw, verbthaw, nounthicket, nounthin, adjectivethunder, verbthunderbolt, nounthunderstorm, nounthundery, adjectivetide, nountreeless, adjectivetree-lined, adjectivetrough, nounturf, nountussock, nountwilight, nounvale, nounvalley, nounverdant, adjectivevisibility, nounvoid, nounwashout, nounwater, nounwatercourse, nounwaterfall, nounwaterside, nounwaterspout, nounwax, verbwest, adjectivewest, adverbwestbound, adjectivewesterly, adjectivewesternmost, adjectivewestward, adverbwet, adjectivewhirlpool, nounwhirlwind, nounwhite horses, nounwhitewater, nounwild, adjectivewill o' the wisp, nounwind, nounwindstorm, nounwindswept, adjectivewindy, adjectivewood, nounwooded, adjectivewoodland, nounwoodsy, adjectivewoody, adjectivezephyr, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY ‘Where does it hurt?’ she asked in a gentle voice. a program of regular gentle exercise the gentle pressure of Jill’s hand After a little gentle persuasion, she agreed to go back to her family. Melt the butter over a gentle heat (=low heat). a gentle breezeCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES After a little gentle persuasion, Debbie agreed to let us in.
‘Where does it hurt?’ she asked in a gentle voice. a program of regular gentle exercise the gentle pressure of Jill’s hand After a little gentle persuasion, she agreed to go back to her family. Melt the butter over a gentle heat (=low heat). a gentle breeze (=that changes direction slightly or gradually)· Ahead of us there was a wide bend in the river.
· It was a beautiful day with a blue sky and a gentle breeze.
(=one that turns gradually in another direction)· the river's gentle curves
(=not involving too much physical effort)· Try to do some gentle exercise as part of your daily routine.
(=hills with slopes that are not steep)· He loved the green rolling hills of Dorset.
(=one that is not very easy to understand – sometimes used ironically when someone is being very obvious)· I'm sick of her subtle hints that I'm not welcome here.
(=jokes or stories that do not offend anyone)· The plays uses gentle humor to make a strong point.
· She could still feel that last tender kiss.
After a little gentle persuasion, Debbie agreed to let us in.· It was meant to be a gentle reminder rather than a criticism.
(=not steep)· We went down a long gentle slope.
· There was a gentle tap on the door.
(=not strong)· Winds tomorrow will be light.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· His eyes were big and brown and as gentle as a baby's.· Rather it is essential to face in and front point of the ice, even on slopes as gentle as 30 degrees.· He may be as tough as a dinosaur, but he's as gentle as a lamb.· Walking and swimming are activities which can be as gentle or as vigorous as you care to make them.· It's ridiculous for owners of these dangerous beasts to claim they are as gentle as lambs.
· I think it's a healthier, more gentle decade.· Bruno also benefited from the floor time and began being more gentle and involved in his relationship with Hannah.· Perhaps Guildford schoolboys are more gentle than the rest.· Morning sun is more gentle than afternoon sun.· Peel-off masks are more gentle but less cleansing than clay.· Switch to a non-soap - a more gentle, rinse-off, creamy cleanser.· If only the nurses were less ... were a little more gentle.
· He was a most gentle person and yet he could appear implacable.· Beekeepers can cull out defensive colonies, fortunately, and select only the most gentle characteristics.· He was old, infirm, and the most gentle man she had ever met.· During the hearings political protests, as such, were most gentle: one patriot inquiring after the patriotism of another.
· That day in the garden ... you were so innocent, so gentle, so untouched by war and betrayal.· She looks so gentle, so much at peace.· The soft yellow light which looks so gentle to you but which sears my guts.· But Mr Berzins seems so gentle and appreciative.· He held her close, smoothing back her hair, his big hands so gentle.· So young, so tender, so gentle, so virile.· He was pleased to see her so gentle for once, and she was singing him to sleep.· Generally speaking, the machine system of section-making is so gentle that only very difficult lithologies and loose sediments will need impregnation.
· Easily Accessible: The surrounding countryside is very gentle and peaceful.· They were big and very gentle.· A family man, very gentle.· As the story was told I was very gentle and self-effacing, and she was out to damage every-thing that she could.· The walking here is very gentle.· He was very nice and very gentle.· To enable waves to break some distance offshore it is necessary that the offshore profile should possess a very gentle gradient.· Just that she was a very simple, ordinary girl. Very gentle, full of fun.
NOUN· Uncertain which way to go, Benny gradually became aware of a gentle breeze blowing from the right.· You should send a strong wind over the rivers, and a gentle breeze upon the orchards.· Recent bootprints were marked in the thin coating of green sandy soil that had been blown by gentle breezes over the buildings.· A gentle breeze blew through the windows, lightly rustling the curtains.· A soft June morning with a blue sky and a gentle breeze.· A gentle breeze blows out of the west.· Crickets were singing loudly up here, and a gentle breeze stirred the leaves of the cypresses.· Hear the birds and cicadas, listen for the gentle breeze rustling the leaves.
· The cures include starting the clubhead back low to the turf on a gentle curve.· Long gentle curves as the asphalt clefts the wilderness.· It was a two-storey white house nestling just within the last gentle curve up to the headland.· The clubhead must start on a gentle curve low to the turf. 4.· They were placed in a gentle curve, about twenty traps in all, facing the outgoing tide.· Cut away and down behind the bud in a gentle curve.· Even such gentle curves require impressive magnets.· The gentle curve of her body was like a piece of rock smoothed by the sea.
· Very gentle exercise is, on the other hand, an excellent way of waking up.· A friend of mine, Audrey Walker, used to come and involve the patients in some gentle exercises.· I also started a gentle exercise programme.
· He traced the contours of her face with gentle fingers, outlining the curve of her mouth, stroking her temples.· I stooped quickly and laid the back of a gentle finger against one of the eggs.· She turns away and lays a gentle finger on Rainbow's still trembling cheek.
· She tried to raise herself from the settee but gentle hands restrained her.· But what was it that Saint-Mames held cupped in his gentle hands, locked together at the base of his torso?· He caressed her sides with gentle hands, gloveman's hands.· As the flickering tongue scooped inside her shallow navel, so she felt gentle hands squeezing her pliant gourds.
· Boil for 5 minutes on gentle heat then add mushroom - and simmer in a covered saucepan for a further 7 minutes.· Use the gentler heat if your dryer has variable adjustments.· Samples can be left in the impregnation chamber overnight before curing under gentle heat.· Let the butter melt over very gentle heat.· Return to a gentle heat and stir until the sauce thickens.· Cook over a gentle heat, stirring until the mixture turns thick. 3.· Ian left the colour to develop for the maximum time of forty minutes under a gentle heat.· Add the herring fillets and cook for 2 minutes on both sides over a gentle heat.
· The surrounding area is very beautiful with gentle hills, waterfalls and purple heather.· It is framed by gentle hills that look down on oak groves that abound with deer, bobcats and golden eagles.· Greener than anything you've ever known, with gentle hills and blue lakes.· For a while it looks like the red earth, green vegetation and gentle hills of Sedona.· Any analogy with climbing a gentle hill breaks down.· To me they would only ever belong among the gentle hills and quiet, winding lanes of Upper Killington.· Further evidence of human activity is to be found in the gentle hills which form the northern edge of the Scotscraig valley.· Most of the town is built on the valley floor, but the east and west sides rise into gentle hills.
· A kind man, a gentle man.· Some of these mourners were devastated by the loss of this gentle man.· He was a gentle man by nature, but he would suddenly fall into a depression and lose all confidence in himself.· He was, in every sense, a gentleman and a gentle man.· He was a gentle man, happily dominated by his competent wife.· So she had left her native Ireland with a new, gentle man and she was expecting a baby.· Clean-shaven and with a full head of greying hair, he was known as a gentle man, but nobody crossed him.· He was old, infirm, and the most gentle man she had ever met.
· We believe it will take more than just gentle persuasion to bring an end to over-specification and waste.· The first victim was packaging buyer,, who agreed, after a little gentle persuasion, to be covered with foam.· Into Water I believe that to conquer fear of water, gentle persuasion is the best tack.
· She could still taste his kiss, still feel the firm yet gentle pressure of his lips.· Too weak to stand, she gave in to the gentle pressure of his hands and sat down.· Meg tried to get up to see, but with a gentle pressure he pushed her back down.· Apply gentle pressure to make them appear more extreme.· The gentle pressure on her lips suddenly wasn't there any more, and she felt bereft.· A gentle pressure in the small of his back told him that the thruster pack had fired.· All this suggests that gentle pressure will not work on the press.
· The ponies were growing restless, and she shook the reins and sent them on down the gentle slope towards the house.· The community typically occurs on peaty soils on gentle slopes or plateaus at higher altitudes.· In the hummocky terrain of the valley floor the hollows, channels and gentle slopes are occupied by peat.· Although this is not a beginner's resort, it's easy to escape to the more gentle slopes of Lech.· On gentle slopes it's easy to place the foot with the sole flat; your bodyweight will then secure the points.· It looked perfect - gentle slopes within a semi circular bowl of hills.
· The man smiled a wry but gentle smile and beckoned me in.· She answered all my questions with a gentle smile and an air of long-suffering patience.· Thinking about it and its possible implications, he drifted into a fitful doze, a gentle smile on his face.· A gentle smile spread over her face, unnoticed beneath her mask.· I felt a little stupid but at least it elicited a gentle smile.· It had been a present from the colonel - to keep her company, he'd insisted with his gentle smile.
· A gentle stroll through the gardens led down to the beautiful long, wide beach.· The weather, being much better than expected, allowed us to take a gentle stroll and some light refreshment.· The area offers superb walks ranging from gentle strolls to full day hikes.
· A gentle touch on her cheek, then her arm.· Presently it felt the gentle touch of radiations, trying to probe its secrets.· And a gentle touch for the gentle dead.· He had a gentle touch, a musician's touch.· Sensitive skins need the gentle touch - Moistura fragrance Free products from Cyclax provide the perfect solution.· Pray that they would know the gentle touch of our Lord in their lives in the coming days.· They used the gentle touch to minimise the pressure on the 25-year-old woman following her horrific experience.· The door opened again, this time with a gentle touch, and the young Sri Lankan maid came in.
· A gentle voice behind him said Easy, Joe, and he spun around in terror and surprise.· The plums are so bitter by themselves, Mrs Sano tells us in her gentle voice, that they are almost inedible.· I opened it and there he was, a tall, slightly stooping figure who spoke with a gentle voice.· From out of the terrible confusion came a different voice, a gentle voice, a voice that understood.
· Just outside Dundee there are several country parks ideal for gentle walks.· She took gentle walks each day.· Gorleston, on the southern outskirts of town, offers a gentle walk and a pleasing test.· Easily Accessible: There are several gentle walks along the banks of the Teme.· This no nonsense guide is good for those wanting to go on an interesting selection of gentle walks.· Next was a gentle walk around the wooded peninsula to take a closer look at Osa Fjord.· His condition steadily deteriorated and he contented himself with gentle walks near his home.
· Eve had made short work of anyone who took advantage of Benny's gentle ways.· These don't have to be permanent measures, just gentle ways of gradually increasing individual confidence.· She had the same tall grace and was equally good looking in a gentler way with great soulful eyes.· Also you have Russell's gentle ways.· Perhaps a gentler way would be to introduce a system of rationing fuel.· Part-time jobs are a gentle way into a new job area, without too much commitment. 2.· Uncomfortably Auguste was made aware in the gentlest way that he was indeed a suspect at this early stage.
WORD FAMILYnoungentlenessadjectivegentleadverbgently
1kind and careful in the way you behave or do things, so that you do not hurt or damage anyone or anything OPP rough: Arthur was a very gentle, caring person.gentle voice/smile/touch ‘Where does it hurt?’ she asked in a gentle voice.gentle with Be gentle with the baby.2not extreme, strong, or violentgentle exercise/walk/stroll etc a program of regular gentle exercise the gentle pressure of Jill’s hand After a little gentle persuasion, she agreed to go back to her family. Melt the butter over a gentle heat (=low heat).3a gentle wind or rain is soft and light: a gentle breeze4a gentle hill or slope is not steep or sharp: the gentle slopes of Mt Pelée—gentleness noun [uncountable] → gently