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Gentle Very Common

Gentle has 14 different meanings across 3 categories:

Verb · Adjective · Proper Noun

Definitions
Noun
1

A person of high birth.

"The gentle lord greeted his visiting peasants with a warm smile."

Verb
1

cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of

"She managed to mollify the angry customer"

2

give a title to someone; make someone a member of the nobility

"The king gently elevated his loyal servant to the rank of baron."

3

stroke soothingly

"She gently stroked his forehead to soothe him after he fell asleep."

4

to become gentle

"The horse's hooves gradually became gentler as it approached the fence."

Adjective
1

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

"a gentle reprimand"

"a vein of gentle irony"

"poked gentle fun at him"

2

having or showing a kindly or tender nature

"the gentle touch of her hand"

"her gentle manner was comforting"

"a gentle sensitive nature"

"gentle blue eyes"

3

quiet and soothing

"a gentle voice"

"a gentle nocturne"

4

belonging to or characteristic of the nobility or aristocracy

"an aristocratic family"

"aristocratic Bostonians"

"aristocratic government"

"a blue family"

"blue blood"

"the blue-blooded aristocracy"

"of gentle blood"

"patrician landholders of the American South"

"aristocratic bearing"

"aristocratic features"

"patrician tastes"

5

easily handled or managed

"a gentle old horse, docile and obedient"

6

having little impact

"an easy pat on the shoulder"

"gentle rain"

"a gentle breeze"

"a soft (or light) tapping at the window"

7

marked by moderate steepness

"an easy climb"

"a gentle slope"

8

Tender and amiable; of a considerate or kindly disposition.

"Her gentle nature made everyone feel welcome in her home."

In plain English: Gentle means being kind and soft so you do not hurt anyone's feelings or cause any damage.

"The gentle breeze cooled our faces on the warm summer afternoon."

Usage: Use gentle to describe someone who acts with kindness, tenderness, or consideration toward others. This word often contrasts with harsh behavior when describing an approachable personality or soothing manner.

Proper Noun
1

A surname​.

"The Gentle family has lived in that village for three generations."

Example Sentences
"The gentle breeze cooled our faces on the warm summer afternoon." adj
"The gentle breeze cooled our faces on the hot afternoon." adj
"She gave him a gentle push to help him stand up." adj
"He spoke in a gentle voice so he wouldn't scare the children." adj
See Also
soft kind touch adjective nudge gradual light handed coddle
Related Terms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
calm promote pet
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
baronetize lord knight

Origin

The word gentle comes from the Middle English gentil, meaning "courteous" or "noble," which was borrowed from Old French. Its ultimate origin is Latin gens, referring to a Roman clan, with the original sense describing someone of high birth within that family group.

Rhyming Words
tle lttle ixtle sutle litle kytle butle title ittle ettle attle dartle nustle myrtle firtle tootle justle cantle bustle bootle
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