gently vs gradually what difference

what is difference between gently and gradually

English

Etymology

From Middle English gentilly, gentlych, gentilliche, equivalent to gentle +‎ -ly, with *-lely simplified to -ly by haplology.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈdʒɛntli/
• Hyphenation: gen‧tly

Adverb

gently (comparative gentlier or more gently, superlative gentliest or most gently)

1. In a gentle manner.

Antonyms

• roughly

Translations

English

Etymology

gradual +‎ -ly

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡɹædʒuəli/
• Hyphenation: grad‧u‧al‧ly

Adverb

gradually (comparative more gradually, superlative most gradually)

1. In a gradual manner; making slow progress; slowly.
2. (obsolete) by degrees
   • 1682, Nehemiah Grew, Anatomy of Plants

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

Synonyms

• (making slow progress): ponderously, sluggishly; See also Thesaurus:slowly
• (by degrees): incrementally, step by step, See also Thesaurus:gradually

Translations

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