[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/gradually/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [G](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/g/) / gradually

# gradually

adverb (gradually)

«gradually» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

Gradually means slowly, a little at a time, over a period, not all at once or suddenly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gradually/#m1)

### In the lessons

In science it describes slow changes: ice gradually melts, a plant gradually grows, the sky gradually gets dark, water gradually evaporates. In maths a line that rises gradually has a gentle slope; a number that gradually increases goes up in small steps. In stories it shows change over time: «gradually she began to feel better». Opposite: suddenly. Phrases: gradually increase, gradually improve, gradually get used to.

### Examples

- The ice cube gradually melted in the sun. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gradually/#x1)
- My reading gradually got better with practice. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gradually/#x2)
- The sky gradually turned from orange to dark blue. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gradually/#x3)
- Add the flour gradually and keep stirring. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gradually/#x4)
- The temperature gradually dropped during the night. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gradually/#x5)
- The path rose gradually up the hill. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gradually/#x6)
- Gradually, the new boy made friends in the class. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gradually/#x7)
- It wound itself round the stem and gradually got higher and higher. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gradually/#x8)

### Note

Adverb from the adjective «gradual» (a gradual change). Opposite: «suddenly», «abruptly». Spelled with «-ually»: gradu-al-ly. In maths problems «gradually» means small steady changes, not a jump.

## In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Sefer Yetzirah is read as teaching that the world came from God by stages and not all at once. This stepwise coming forth is called emanation. In the primary lessons: In science it describes slow changes: ice gradually melts, a plant gradually grows, the sky gradually gets dark, water gradually evaporates. In maths a line that rises gradually has a gentle slope; a number that gradually increases goes up in small steps. In stories it shows change over time: «gradually she began to feel better». Opposite: suddenly. Phrases: gradually increase, gradually improve, gradually get used to.

### Examples

- Our author is therefore endeavoring to show that the whole universe emanated gradually from the spirit of the one living God. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/G/gradually/#x1)
- It teaches that a first cause, eternal, all-wise, almighty and holy, is the origin and the centre of the whole universe, from whom gradually all beings emanated. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/G/gradually/#x2)

### Note

Adverb from the adjective «gradual» (a gradual change). Opposite: «suddenly», «abruptly». Spelled with «-ually»: gradu-al-ly. In maths problems «gradually» means small steady changes, not a jump.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «gradually» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gradually/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«gradually» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/gradually.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «gradually» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/G/gradually/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«gradually» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/gradually.html) on Mova free.