Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

gradient

/ˈɡɹeɪdiənt/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.48 in modern English

Syllables: gra-di-ent
IPA: /ˈɡɹeɪdiənt/

10

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A slope or incline.

noun

A rate of inclination or declination of a slope.

noun

The ratio of the rates of change of a dependent variable and an independent variable, the slope of a curve's tangent.

noun

The rate at which a physical quantity increases or decreases relative to change in a given variable, especially distance.

noun

A differential operator that maps each point of a scalar field to a vector pointed in the direction of the greatest rate of change of the scalar. Notation for a scalar field φ: ∇φ

noun

A gradual change in color; a color gradient; gradation.

adj

Moving by steps; walking.

adj

Rising or descending by regular degrees of inclination.

Example Sentences

"Just beyond that station the first step is encountered and the rack resorted to, taking the line on a gradient of 1 in 9 over a steeply inclined bridge and through a spiral tunnel."
"movable and Gradient Automata"
"the gradient line of a railroad"

Etymology

From Latin gradiēns, present participle of gradior (“to step, to walk”).

Origin

Source language: Latin

Word Breakdown

Root: gradiēns

Inflected Forms

gradients (plural)

Derived Forms

chemogradient countergradient downgradient electrogradient enterogradient extragradient gradientless gradiently intergradient microgradient multigradient nanogradient

Phrases

gradient descent gradient post gradient wind pressure gradient pressure gradient force ruling gradient temperature gradient

Frequently Paired Words

curl divergence viscid viscous

Synonyms

hill incline ramp slope grade angular coefficient

Questions

How do you pronounce gradient?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɡɹeɪdiənt/.
What does gradient mean?: A slope or incline.
Where does gradient come from?: It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce gradient

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “gradient”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈɡɹeɪdiənt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “gradient”.
Repeat and practice — Say “gradient” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.