How do you pronounce gradual?

The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɡɹæd͡ʒuəl/.

gradual

/ˈɡɹæd͡ʒuəl/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.67 in modern English

Syllables: grad-u-al
IPA: /ˈɡɹæd͡ʒuəl/

Scrabble Score

Letters

Syllables

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Proceeding or advancing by small, slow, regular steps or degrees

noun

An antiphon or responsory after the epistle, in the Mass, which was sung on the steps, or while the deacon ascended the steps.

noun

A service book containing the musical portions of the Mass.

Example Sentences

"a gradual increase of knowledge; a gradual decline"
"Creatures animate with gradual life / Of growth, sense, reason, all summed up in man."

Etymology

From Medieval Latin graduālis, from Latin gradus (“step”), from Proto-Indo-European *gʰradʰ-, *gʰredʰ- (“to walk, go”). Cognate with Gothic 𐌲𐍂𐌹𐌸𐍃 (griþs, “step, grade”), Bavarian Gritt (“step, stride”).

Origin

Source language: Latin

Word Breakdown

Root: graduālis, gradus, *gʰradʰ-

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈɡɹæd͡ʒuəl/

Inflected Forms

more gradual (comparative) most gradual (superlative) graduall (alternative) graduals (plural)

Derived Forms

gradualism gradualist gradualistic graduality gradualize gradually gradualness nongradual ungradual

Phrases

gradual typing slow {speed)

Frequently Paired Words

insidious incrementally slow {speed)

Synonyms

stepwise incremental gradual piecemeal piecewise slow

Antonyms

sudden abrupt