First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1gentle
adjective gen·tle \ˈjen-təl\
: having or showing a kind and quiet nature : not harsh or violent
: not hard or forceful
: not strong or harsh in effect or quality
gen·tler \ˈjent-lər, -təl-ər\ gen·tlest \ˈjent-ləst, -təl-əst\
Full Definition of GENTLE
1
a : 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
See gentle defined for English-language learners
See gentle defined for kids
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Origin of GENTLE
Middle English gentil, from Anglo-French, from Latin gentilis of a gens, of one's family, from gent-, gens gens, nation; akin to Latin gignere to beget — more at kin
Related to GENTLE
2gentle
noun
Definition of GENTLE
: a person of gentle birth or status
First Known Use of GENTLE
14th century
Related to GENTLE
- Synonyms
- aristocrat, blue blood, gentleperson, noble, patrician
3gentle
verb
gen·tledgen·tling \ˈjent-liŋ, ˈjen-təl-iŋ\
Definition of GENTLE
transitive verb
1
: to raise from the commonalty : ennoble
2
intransitive verb
: to become gentle <the wind gentled>
First Known Use of GENTLE
14th century
GENTLE Defined for Kids
gentle
adjective gen·tle \ˈjen-təl\
gen·tlergen·tlest
Definition of GENTLE for Kids
1
: having or showing a kind and quiet nature : not harsh, stern, or violent <He was a large but gentle man.>
2
: not hard or forceful <a gentle wind>
3
: not strong or harsh in quality or effect <a gentle soap>
4
: not steep or sharp <gentle hills>
— gen·tle·ness \ˈjen-təl-nəs\ noun
— gent·ly \ˈjent-lē\ adverb
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