1 : moving, changing, or developing by fine or often imperceptible degrees. 2 : proceeding by steps or degrees.

What does gradual mean in a sentence?

The definition of gradual is something that changes or progresses slowly or over time. When a mountain loses incline over a very large space so there are no steep drop-offs, this is an example of a gradual decline. When your health very slowly starts to get better over time, this is an example of gradual improvement.

Does gradual mean slow?

Use the adjective gradual to describe something that happens slowly, bit by bit, like the gradual increase in the amount of daylight in winter. Gradual can also apply to the gentle slope of landforms like hills. A gradual incline seems to slowly rise — you may not even realize you're walking up such a hill.