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gentle

adjective
gen·​tle | \ ˈjen-tᵊl How to pronounce gentle (audio) \
gentler\ ˈjent-​lÉ™r How to pronounce gentler (audio) , -​tᵊl-​É™r \; gentlest\ ˈjent-​lÉ™st How to pronounce gentlest (audio) , -​tᵊl-​É™st \

Definition of gentle

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1a : belonging to a family of high social station
b archaic : chivalrous
c : honorable, distinguished specifically : of or relating to a gentleman
d : kind, amiable —used especially in address as a complimentary epithet gentle reader
e : suited to a person of high social station the gentle art of sophisticated conversation
2a : tractable, docile a gentle horse
b : free from harshness, sternness, or violence used gentle persuasion
3 : soft, delicate the gentle touch of her hand
4 : moderate His doctor recommended gentle exercise.

gentle

noun

Definition of gentle (Entry 2 of 3)

: a person of gentle (see gentle entry 1 sense 1a) birth or status

gentle

verb
gentled; gentling\ ˈjent-​liÅ‹ How to pronounce gentling (audio) , ˈjen-​tᵊl-​iÅ‹ \

Definition of gentle (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to raise from the commonalty : ennoble
2a : to make gentler
b : to make (an animal) tame and docile
c : mollify, placate gentled the raging king
d : to stroke soothingly : pet

intransitive verb

: to become gentle the wind gentled
Other Words from gentle Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about gentle

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Other Words from gentle

Adjective

gently \ ˈjent-​lÄ“ How to pronounce gently (audio) \ adverb

Examples of gentle in a Sentence

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: Adjective

 In a story arc that adds aching poignancy, Donna Migliaccio packs humor and solidity into landlady Fräulein Schneider, who is wooed by Herr Schultz, a gentle Jewish fruit merchant. — Celia Wren, Washington Post, "In this Kit Kat Klub, there’s a little less sleaze but just enough sizzle," 4 Sep. 2019 Becoming aware of these impediments, perhaps even through Colbert’s gentle mocking, might lead more people to engage in pro-environmental activities. — NBC News, "Does this reusable bag make me look gay? Perhaps, study finds," 2 Sep. 2019 Researchers at Harvard University and the City University of New York have come up with a gentle solution. — Scientific American, "Nanomachines, Jellyfish Hugs and Hurricane Dorian From Space: The Week's Best Science GIFs," 30 Aug. 2019 Kiehl’s newest is an incredibly gentle product that removes dirt and oil without any harsh irritants. — Hana Hong, Marie Claire, "Can I Use My Boyfriend’s Moisturizer

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