Gradually
Adverb
UK
/ˈɡrædʒ.u.ə.li/
US
/ˈɡrædʒ.u.ə.li/
Definition
Slowly or step by step, over time.
Example
"The weather gradually became warmer."
"The lights gradually dimmed, and the room became calm and peaceful."
"He gradually learned to speak confidently by practicing with friends every day."
Explanation
Gradually means slowly, step by step, instead of all at once. The word comes from the Latin root “grad”, which means “step”, showing that it describes things that move forward one step at a time. For example, the rain gradually stopped. It shows that something changes or happens little by little over time. People use this word to describe progress, change, or movement that happens slowly but steadily, like she gradually improved her English by practicing every day.