gradually

Etymology

From gradual +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡɹæd͡ʒuəli/

• Audio (US):

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• Hyphenation: grad‧u‧al‧ly

Adverb

gradually (comparative more gradually, superlative most gradually)

1. In a gradual manner; making slow progress; slowly.
   • 2014 September 29, Douglas Quenqua, “Toolmaking May Have Risen Independently”, in The New York Times‎:

     The most likely conclusion, the researchers say, is that the Levallois method was not taken to Eurasia by African migrants, but evolved there gradually and independently.

2. (obsolete) by degrees
   • 1682, Nehemiah Grew, The Anatomy of Plants. […], [London]: […] W. Rawlins, for the author, published 1682, →OCLC:

     Horns, upon the due accession of Moisture, doth gradually become Soft.