gentle
adjective /ˈdʒentl/
/ˈdʒentl/
(comparative gentler
/ˈdʒentlə(r)/
/ˈdʒentlər/
, superlative gentlest /ˈdʒentlɪst/
/ˈdʒentlɪst/
)- calm and kind; doing things in a quiet and careful way
- a kind and gentle man
- Terry was a gentle soul.
- He looks scary but he's really a gentle giant.
- She was the gentlest of nurses.
- a gentle voice/laugh/touch
- a gentle reminder that your next payment is due on Friday
- He lived in a gentler age than ours.
- gentle with somebody/something Be gentle with her!
Extra ExamplesTopics Personal qualitiesb1- She was very gentle with the children.
- ‘Don't worry, just relax,’ Louise's voice was gentle.
- He was a young man with a quiet, gentle manner.
- The professor gave a gentle smile.
- She agreed to come, after a little gentle persuasion.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- appear
- be
- look
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- on
- with
- (of weather, temperature, etc.) not strong or extreme
- a gentle breeze
- the gentle swell of the sea
- Cook over a gentle heat.
- having only a small effect; not strong or violent
- We went for a gentle stroll.
- The doctor recommended a little gentle exercise.
- gentle on something This soap is very gentle on the hands.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- appear
- be
- look
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- on
- with
- not steep or sharp
- a gentle slope/curve
see also gently
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French gentil ‘high-born, noble’, from Latin gentilis ‘of the same clan’, from gens, gent- ‘family, race’, from the root of gignere ‘beget’. The original sense was ‘nobly born’, hence ‘courteous, chivalrous’, later ‘mild, moderate in action or disposition’ (mid 16th cent.).