English Explanatory Dictionary

gentle

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Tender and amiable; of a considerate or kindly disposition.
  2. Soft and mild rather than hard or severe.
  3. Docile and easily managed.
  4. Gradual rather than steep or sudden.
  5. Polite and respectful rather than rude.
  6. Well-born; of a good family or respectable birth, though not noble.
verb
  1. To become gentle.
  2. To ennoble.
  3. To break; to tame; to domesticate.
  4. To soothe; to calm; to make gentle.
noun
  1. A person of high birth.
  2. A maggot used as bait by anglers.
  3. A trained falcon, or falcon-gentil.
name
  1. A surname.

Pronunciation

/ˈdʒɛntl̩/ jĕn′tl [ˈd͡ʒɛ̃ɾ̃l̩] en-us-gentle.ogg

Word forms

gentle gentler more gentle gentlest most gentle gentles gentling gentled

Etymology

From Middle English gentil (“courteous, noble”), from Old French gentil (“high-born, noble”), from Latin gentilis (“of the same family or clan”), from gens (“[Roman] clan”). Doublet of gentile, genteel, and jaunty.

Synonyms

friendly kind polite respectful

Antonyms

rude

Derived words

flower-gentle gentilly gentle and simple gentle as a lamb gentlebeing gentle craft gentlefolk gentlefolks gentle giant gentlegirl gentle-handed gentlehearted gentle-hearted gentle-heartedly gentle-heartedness gentlehood gentleman gentle murder paradox gentleness gentle nor simple gentle or simple gentle sex gentleship gentlesome gentlethem gentlewoman gently go gentle into that good night overgentle tercel gentle ungentle
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