Adjective
a dog that is gentle with children
Your mother has a gentle manner.
a gentle sense of humor
I heard a gentle knock at the door.
It’s a delicate problem that requires gentle handling.
The job requires a gentle touch.
The cold snap was a gentle reminder that winter was coming.
Noun
the archbishop treated both the gentles and the commoners with respect and kindness
Verb
employees soon learned that their hot-tempered boss needed to be gentled several times a day
soothingly gentled his cat’s head as she was being treated by the vet
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Recent Examples on the Web
So be gentle with each other and with yourselves.
—
Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 12 Apr. 2023
Those who knew him, including two younger sisters, described him as a kindhearted and gentle person.
—Austindedios, oregonlive, 12 Apr. 2023
Breezes are gentle, from the south.
—Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2023
The detergent is said to be ideal for parents dealing with a large amount of dirty laundry due to its effective stain-fighting capabilities and gentle formula.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 7 Apr. 2023
Its pulsations can shake loose dirt and makeup residue from underneath her pores, according to the brand, and Rodriguez describes these pulses as gentle and soothing.
—Barbara Booth, NBC News, 7 Apr. 2023
What to Consider: The effect is subtle and gentle, not radically transformative in acute situations.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2023
El Moussa isn’t the only one raving about the product —’ shoppers love the sunscreen, especially for its gentle, non-comedogenic formula.
—Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2023
These naturally rough stones work the same as a file—just be extra gentle and don’t press too hard.
—Garrett Munce, Men’s Health, 29 Mar. 2023
Coconut milk gentles the green-chile heat in the thick, creamy sauce.
—Providence Cicero, The Seattle Times, 10 Aug. 2017
The dog, described as gassy but gentle, spent much of its time on stage plopped on its side.
—Joy Johnston, ajc, 24 June 2017
Not only can gentle strains of honey bees — if the bees are properly located and carefully managed — be maintained within populated areas without causing a nuisance, but a resident having an apiary will not increase the number of bees in a neighboring yard.
—John Benson, cleveland, 24 Mar. 2022
While a traditional blow dryer pushes air out and causes frizz, a diffuser will just gentle dry hair without any friction.
—Tatjana Freund, ELLE, 28 July 2022
Rand greets them with trepidation, pulling his sword out for fear Moiraine will gentle his friend.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 10 Dec. 2021
The color fades to gentle black as night makes its entrance.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2021
From ethereal blues to gentle yellows to feminine pink hues, the spring/summer 2021 runways are leaning into the power of color theory.
—Sara Holzman, Marie Claire, 13 Apr. 2021
In this six-week program, veterans have the opportunity to gentle wild mustangs.
—Sheila Vilvens, Cincinnati.com, 22 Feb. 2018
Fawcett said the mustangs can be gentled into outstanding pleasure riding horses.
—Lynne Terry, OregonLive.com, 7 Jan. 2018
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘gentle.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
нежный, мягкий, легкий, объезжать, делать мягче, наживка
прилагательное ↓
- мягкий, добрый; кроткий; нежный, ласковый
- тихий, спокойный
the gentle lapse of life — спокойное течение жизни 
gentle knock — тихий стук
gentle river — спокойная река
- лёгкий, слабый
gentle rustle in the grass — слабое шуршание /-ый шорох/ в траве
gentle heat — умеренная жара
gentle push — лёгкий толчок
in a gentle voice — мягко, мягким тоном
don’t press him, try a little gentle persuasion — не нажимайте на него, попытайтесь воздействовать на него лаской /мягким обращением/
gentle rebuke — мягкий упрёк
gentle breeze — а) лёгкий ветерок; б) мор. слабый ветер (3 балла)
- послушный, смирный; приручённый, ручной
- отлогий, пологий
gentle fold — пологая складка
gentle slope — отлогий скат
- знатный, родовитый
gentle blood — благородная кровь
of gentle birth — благородного рода /происхождения/
- уст. благородный, великодушный; благовоспитанный, учтивый
gentle knight — благородный рыцарь
gentle reader — благосклонный читатель (обращение автора к читателю)
глагол
- редк. смягчать; успокаивать
- облагораживать
- приручать; объезжать (лошадь)
существительное
- опарыш, личинка мясной мухи (как наживка при ужении)
Мои примеры
Словосочетания
a gentle dove — голубок
delicate / gentle / subtle hint — тонкий намёк
gentle / mild manner — мягкость
gentle / light wind — лёгкий ветерок
gentle jogging — бег трусцой
the gentle sex — прекрасный пол
the car came to a gentle stop — автомобиль плавно остановился
to be gentle with one’s hands — иметь ласковые руки
Примеры с переводом
Be gentle with the baby.
Будьте ласковы с ребенком.
He saluted his wife with a gentle kiss.
Он приветствовал свою жену нежным поцелуем.
She gave her lip a gentle bite.
Она нежно прикусила свою губу.
He was very soft and gentle with the children.
Он был добрым и ласковым по отношению к детям.
They would be gentle, not austere.
Они будут добрыми, а не строгими.
She is gentle and easy to be with.
Она нежная, и с ней легко.
I heard a gentle knock at the door.
Я услышал тихий стук в дверь.
ещё 23 примера свернуть
Примеры, ожидающие перевода
…a gentle breeze would allay the heat… 
The first prize has gone to Dr John Gentle.
He’s a gentle man who’s not easily angered.
Для того чтобы добавить вариант перевода, кликните по иконке ☰, напротив примера.
Возможные однокоренные слова
gentlehood — знатность, благовоспитанность
gentleness — мягкость, доброта
gently — осторожно, мягко, нежно, тихо, спокойно, кротко, умеренно
Формы слова
adjective
срав. степ. (comparative): gentler
прев. степ. (superlative): gentlest
Английский[править]
gentle I[править]
Морфологические и синтаксические свойства[править]
| сравн. ст. | превосх. ст. |
|---|---|
| gentler | gentlest |
gentle
Прилагательное.
Корень: —.
Произношение[править]
- МФА (США): [ˈd͡ʒɛntl̩]
Семантические свойства[править]
Значение[править]
- знатный, родовитый, благородный, благородных кровей ◆ Отсутствует пример употребления (см. рекомендации).
- породистый (в настоящее время только о соколах) ◆ Отсутствует пример употребления (см. рекомендации).
- благородный, благовоспитанный ◆ Отсутствует пример употребления (см. рекомендации).
- мягкий, добрый ◆ Отсутствует пример употребления (см. рекомендации).
- тихий, спокойный ◆ Отсутствует пример употребления (см. рекомендации).
- кроткий; нежный, ласковый (о голосе)◆ Отсутствует пример употребления (см. рекомендации).
- легкий, слабый (о ветре, наказании, характере)◆ Отсутствует пример употребления (см. рекомендации).
- великодушный, благосклонный ◆ Отсутствует пример употребления (см. рекомендации).
- отлогий, пологий, ровный (о склоне) ◆ Отсутствует пример употребления (см. рекомендации).
- спокойный, не бурный (о погоде, море, реке) ◆ Отсутствует пример употребления (см. рекомендации).
- колдовской, магический ◆ Отсутствует пример употребления (см. рекомендации).
Синонимы[править]
- noble
- —
- noble, generous, courteous]]
- kind, tender
- —
- —
- bland, mild
- tame, quiet
Антонимы[править]
Гиперонимы[править]
Гипонимы[править]
Родственные слова[править]
| Ближайшее родство | |
|
Этимология[править]
Происходит от ??
Фразеологизмы и устойчивые сочетания[править]
Библиография[править]
gentle II[править]
Морфологические и синтаксические свойства[править]
| ед. ч. | мн. ч. |
|---|---|
| gentle | gentles |
gentle
Существительное.
Корень: —.
Произношение[править]
- МФА (США): [ˈd͡ʒɛntl̩]
Семантические свойства[править]
Значение[править]
- лицо благородного происхождения ◆ Отсутствует пример употребления (см. рекомендации).
- самка сокола ◆ Отсутствует пример употребления (см. рекомендации).
- личинка, червяк (как наживка в рыбной ловле) ◆ Отсутствует пример употребления (см. рекомендации).
Синонимы[править]
- —
- falcon-gentle
Антонимы[править]
Гиперонимы[править]
Гипонимы[править]
Родственные слова[править]
| Ближайшее родство | |
Этимология[править]
Происходит от ??
Фразеологизмы и устойчивые сочетания[править]
Библиография[править]
gentle III[править]
Морфологические и синтаксические свойства[править]
gentle
Глагол, правильный.
Корень: —.
Произношение[править]
- МФА (США): [ˈd͡ʒɛntl̩]
Семантические свойства[править]
Значение[править]
- одомашнивать; объезжать прям. и перен. ◆ Отсутствует пример употребления (см. рекомендации).
- делать приемлемым ◆ Отсутствует пример употребления (см. рекомендации).
- облагораживать, делать мягче ◆ Отсутствует пример употребления (см. рекомендации).
Синонимы[править]
- —
- tame
- soften, mollify
Антонимы[править]
Гиперонимы[править]
Гипонимы[править]
Родственные слова[править]
| Ближайшее родство | |
|
Этимология[править]
Происходит от ??
Фразеологизмы и устойчивые сочетания[править]
Библиография[править]
Other forms: gentler; gentlest; gentles; gentled; gentling
Use the adjective gentle to describe something that is soothing or kind, like a person with a tender nature or the soft sound of light rain.
The word gentle traces back to the Latin word gentlis, meaning “of the same clan,” and at first the world was used to describe people belonging to distinguished families, who were seen as courteous and noble. Nowadays you’re more likely to hear the word used to refer to things that are calm, moderate, and without harshness. The word is often applied to people, but it can be used more broadly to describe anything that is mild, such as «a gentle detergent» or «a gentle reminder.»
Definitions of gentle
-
adjective
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
“a
gentle reprimand”“a vein of
gentle irony”“poked
gentle fun at him”-
synonyms:
soft
-
mild
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
-
mild
-
adjective
having little impact
“gentle rain”
“a
gentle breeze”-
synonyms:
easy, soft
-
light
of little intensity or power or force
-
light
-
adjective
having or showing a kindly or tender nature
“the
gentle touch of her hand”“her
gentle manner was comforting”“a
gentle sensitive nature”“gentle blue eyes”
-
Synonyms:
-
kind
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
-
kind
-
adjective
quiet and soothing
“a
gentle voice”“a
gentle nocturne”-
Synonyms:
-
soft
(of sound) relatively low in volume
-
soft
-
adjective
easily handled or managed
-
synonyms:
docile
-
tame, tamed
brought from wildness into a domesticated state
-
tame, tamed
-
verb
cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
-
adjective
belonging to or characteristic of the nobility or aristocracy
“of
gentle blood”-
synonyms:
aristocratic, aristocratical, blue, blue-blooded, patrician
-
noble
of or belonging to or constituting the hereditary aristocracy especially as derived from feudal times
-
noble
-
verb
give a title to someone; make someone a member of the nobility
-
adjective
marked by moderate steepness
“a
gentle slope”-
synonyms:
easy
-
gradual
(of a topographical gradient) not steep or abrupt
-
gradual
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘gentle’.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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- Top Definitions
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- British
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
adjective, gen·tler, gen·tlest.
kindly; amiable: a gentle manner.
not severe, rough, or violent; mild: a gentle wind;a gentle tap on the shoulder.
moderate: gentle heat.
gradual: a gentle slope.
of good birth or family; wellborn.
characteristic of good birth; honorable; respectable: a gentle upbringing.
easily handled or managed; tractable: a gentle animal.
soft or low: a gentle sound.
polite; refined: Consider, gentle reader, my terrible predicament at this juncture.
entitled to a coat of arms; armigerous.
Archaic. noble; chivalrous: a gentle knight.
verb (used with object), gen·tled, gen·tling.
to tame; render tractable.
to mollify; calm; pacify.
to make gentle.
to stroke; soothe by petting.
to ennoble; dignify.
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Origin of gentle
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English gentle, gentil(e), from Old French gentil “highborn, noble,” from Latin gentīlis “belonging to the same family,” equivalent to gent- (stem of gēns ) gens + -īlis -le
synonym study for gentle
1. Gentle, meek, mild refer to an absence of bad temper or belligerence. Gentle has reference especially to disposition and behavior, and often suggests a deliberate or voluntary kindness or forbearance in dealing with others: a gentle pat; gentle with children. Meek implies a submissive spirit, and may even indicate undue submission in the face of insult or injustice: meek and even servile or weak. Mild suggests absence of harshness or severity, rather because of natural character or temperament than conscious choice: a mild rebuke; a mild manner.
OTHER WORDS FROM gentle
gen·tle·ness, noungen·tly, adverbo·ver·gen·tle, adjectiveun·gen·tle, adjective
un·gen·tle·ness, noun
Words nearby gentle
gentilesse, gentilism, gentility, gentisate, gentisic acid, gentle, gentle breeze, gentle craft, gentlefolk, gentle giant, gentleman
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Words related to gentle
affable, amiable, benign, compassionate, considerate, cool, genial, humane, mellow, moderate, placid, pleasant, quiet, soft, tame, tender, calm, delicate, mild, muted
How to use gentle in a sentence
-
Our spacious villa looked directly onto the gentle curve of Polo Beach.
-
Afterward, you can expect to wash the blanket on your machine’s delicate settings with a gentle detergent.
-
Be sure to wash your heated vest with cool water with the machine’s gentle setting.
-
Gorilla Glue told TMZ that rubbing alcohol, a gentle combing and a delicate shampoo would likely be the best solution for Brown.
-
That gentle evolution gives astronomers a unique opportunity to use TRAPPIST-1 and TOI-178 as testbeds for planetary theory.
-
But he was always uncommonly gracious, a truly gentle man, willing to dispense wisdom and perspective when asked.
-
She is incapable of responding to kindness and enquiry, even very gentle flirting on the part of a co-worker.
-
The only justice sought by those folks involved a conviction against Wilson for killing the “gentle giant” teen.
-
They act silly, and for a moment we see how gentle and innocent they are.
-
I thought he was very intelligent, very gentle, soft-spoken, precise.
-
He turned to the gentle accents of his sweet Alice, breathed in a letter which had been wet with her grateful tears.
-
The action was at first a little confusing to Edna, but she soon lent herself readily to the Creole’s gentle caress.
-
He reached down inside my shirt, with a none too gentle hand, and relieved me of the belt that held the money.
-
Are you quite sure you have never suffered from this rather common disorder, gentle reader, at least, if you be of the male sex?
-
And it might be a good idea for you to give your men a gentle hint to keep their mouths closed about this affair—all of it.
British Dictionary definitions for gentle
adjective
having a mild or kindly nature or character
soft or temperate; mild; moderatea gentle scolding
graduala gentle slope
easily controlled; tamea gentle horse
archaic of good breeding; noblegentle blood
archaic gallant; chivalrous
verb (tr)
to tame or subdue (a horse)
to appease or mollify
obsolete to ennoble or dignify
noun
a maggot, esp when used as bait in fishing
archaic a person who is of good breeding
Derived forms of gentle
gently, adverb
Word Origin for gentle
C13: from Old French gentil noble, from Latin gentīlis belonging to the same family; see gens
Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012