gentle

1 of 3

adjective

gen·​tle ˈjen-tᵊl 

gentler ˈjent-lər 

-tᵊl-ər

; gentlest ˈjent-ləst 

-tᵊl-əst

1

a

: free from harshness, sternness, or violence

used gentle persuasion

b

: tractable, docile

a gentle horse

2

: soft, delicate

the gentle touch of her hand

3

: moderate

His doctor recommended gentle exercise.

4

a

: belonging to a family of high social station

b

: honorable, distinguished

specifically : of or relating to a gentleman

c

: kind, amiable

—used especially in address as a complimentary epithet

gentle reader

d

: suited to a person of high social station

the gentle art of sophisticated conversation

e

archaic : chivalrous

gently

ˈjent-lē 

adverb

gentle

2 of 3

noun

: a person of gentle (see gentle entry 1 sense 4a) birth or status

gentle

3 of 3

verb

gentled; gentling ˈjent-liŋ 

ˈjen-tᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

1

a

: to make (an animal) tame and docile

b

: to make gentler

c

: mollify, placate

gentled the raging king

d

: to stroke soothingly : pet

2

: to raise from the commonalty : ennoble

intransitive verb

: to become gentle

the wind gentled

Synonyms

Adjective

• balmy
• benign
• bland
• delicate
• light
• mellow
• mild
• nonabrasive
• soft
• soothing
• tender

Noun

• aristocrat
• blue blood
• gentleperson
• noble
• patrician

Verb

• appease
• assuage
• conciliate
• disarm
• mollify
• pacify
• placate
• propitiate

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Hand-wash-only items can often be machine-washed in a protective mesh bag using the gentle cycle. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2024

In this gentle novel, an elderly widow finds her solitary routine disrupted by a mouse, setting off a sequence of events that reconnects with the larger world. —Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 21 Nov. 2024

Noun

Since dry plane air can leave our skin feeling dull and dehydrated, applying a few gentle, moisturizing products can make a big difference. —Kaitlyn McInnis, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Mar. 2024

Thursday’s weather will be mostly sunny, with a gentle to moderate breeze expected, although there will be occasional gusts up to 23 mph. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2024

Verb

From transformative serums to gentle yet effective cleansers, this list has something for everyone to add to their skincare routine. —Jessica Copeland, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2024

The material doesn’t want sophisticated adults mucking about in it or, worse, gentling its hard edges for commercial consumption. —Jesse Green, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English gentyl "of aristocratic birth, exhibiting ideal characteristics of the wellborn, of excellent quality, gracious, courteous, kind," borrowed from Anglo-French gentil, borrowed from Medieval Latin gentīlis "of oneʼs own house, of good family or breeding, native, of a non-Jewish nation or faith, not Christian, pagan," going back to Latin "of a Roman gens, of oneʼs own family or tribe, native," from gent-, gens "race, people, gens" + -īlis, suffix of affiliation

Noun

Middle English gentil (usually plural), borrowed from Anglo-French, derivative of gentil "of aristocratic birth, gentle entry 1"

Verb

Middle English gentylen, derivative of gentyl gentle entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1532, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Phrases Containing gentle

• falcon-gentle
• gentle breeze
• gentle giant
• gentle sex

Kids Definition

gentle

1 of 2 adjective

gen·​tle

ˈjent-ᵊl

gentler

ˈjent-lər,

-ᵊl-ər

; gentlest

ˈjent-ləst,

-ᵊl-əst

1

: belonging or suitable to a family of high social rank

2

a

: easily handled : docile

a gentle horse

b

: not harsh : mild

gentle soap

c

: not stern or rough

gentle words

3

: soft entry 1 sense 1, soothing

a gentle murmur

4

: moderate entry 1 sense 2a

gentle slopes

gentleness noun

gently

ˈjent-lē

adverb

gentle

2 of 2 verb

gentled; gentling

ˈjent-liŋ,

ᵊl-iŋ

1

: to make gentle or mild

2

: to make calmer : soothe