gently
English · Thesaurus
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gently
- /ˈd͡ʒɛntli/
- [ˈd͡ʒɛ̃ɾ̃li] US
- [ˈd͡ʒɛnli] US
Where it comes from
From Middle English gentilly, gentlych, gentilliche, equivalent to gentle + -ly, with *-lely simplified to -ly by haplology.
adverb gentlier · more gently · gentliest · most gently · gentilly · gentlely
- Without strong force or quickness: softly, lightly. First, marinate the tofu. In a bowl, whisk the kecap manis, chilli sauce, and sesame oil together. Cut the tofu into strips about 1cm thick, mix gently (so it doesn't break) with the marinade and leave in the fridge for half an hour.
- In a gentle manner; to a gentle degree. From Blackwater there is a more or less level run through gently rolling farmlands and downs to Merstone, with its island platform and passing loop.
- Quietly: without much noise or motion. I look at the world, and I notice it's turning / While my guitar gently weeps / With every mistake, we must surely be learning / Still my guitar gently weeps
- From a gentle or high-class family. gently born
- In the manner of one of gentle birth; in a manner that reflects the traditional virtues of the gentry: courteously, nobly.
Opposite: roughly
Thesaurus
Closest in meaning: softly, lightly, mildly, easy, calmly, delicately, bluntly, modestly, relax, moderately, shallowly, quietly, hush, steady, marginally, discreetly
adverb
Opposite: roughly
Translations
Every language
adv in a gentle manner
| Español | mansamente, suavemente, delicadamente, gentilmente, tiernamente, cuidadosamente |
|---|---|
| 한국어 | 부드럽게 budeureopge, 살포시 salposi |
| 日本語 | そっと sotto |
| Português | gentilmente |
| Deutsch | sanft |
| Italiano | soavemente, dolcemente, blandamente, delicatamente, gentilmente, sordamente |
| Русский | не́жно néžno |
| Tiếng Việt | nhẹ nhàng |
Talk about this word "gently." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/gently. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. gently. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/gently "gently." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/gently.Cite this
@misc{gently_2026,
title = {gently},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/gently},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
