gentleness
gb/d͡ʒˈɛntəlnəs/ us/d͡ʒˈɛntəlnəs/
B2
English
~ 6800
kedvesség, gyengédség, enyheség, kíméletesség
NOUN
B2
1
kedvesség
A2
gyengédség
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s gentleness toward [someone]
Her gentleness with the children made them feel safe and understood.
A gyerekek iránti kedvességének köszönhetően biztonságban érezték magukat, és úgy érezték, megértik őket.
He spoke with such gentleness that everyone in the room relaxed.
Olyan kedvesen és szelíden beszélt, hogy a szobában mindenki megnyugodott.
They remembered their grandfather for his quiet strength and gentleness.
Despite her anger, he answered with patience and gentleness.
The nurse's gentleness helped calm the worried patient.
Learner examples
I will always remember her gentleness to me when I was sick.
Mindig emlékezni fogok arra, milyen kedvesen bánt velem, amikor beteg voltam.
The teacher shows great gentleness when she talks to shy students.
A tanárnő nagyon kedvesen és tapintatosan beszél a félénk diákokkal.
His gentleness makes it easy to talk about difficult things.
Please treat the new student with gentleness and care.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "softness" instead of "gentleness" for behavior (e.g., *"his softness with the children"*). "Softness" usually describes physical things (like a pillow), while "gentleness" is preferred for how someone treats others or speaks.
Meaning
kind and caring way of behaving
Collocations
remarkable gentleness
|show gentleness
|treat [someone] with gentleness
|with great gentleness
|gentleness and compassion
Synonyms
kindness (General word for being friendly and helpful; does not always suggest softness or calm like "gentleness" does.)
|
tenderness (Stresses warm, loving care, often in close or emotional relationships; slightly more emotional than "gentleness.")
Antonyms
harshness (Describes behavior or speech that is hard, severe, or unkind, the opposite of gentle treatment.)
|
cruelty (Focuses on taking pleasure in hurting others, strongly contrasting with the caring aspect of gentleness.)
Themes
emotions
|character
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The quality of being kind and calm, and not hard or cruel, especially in how you act or speak to people.
The quality of being kind, tender, and not harsh in the way someone behaves toward or speaks to others.
NOUN
B2
2
gyengédség
B2
Usage pattern:
the gentleness of [someone]'s touch
The gentleness of his touch surprised her after his loud words.
Hangos szavai után meglepte az érintésének gyengédsége.
She picked up the injured bird with great gentleness.
Nagy gyengédséggel vette fel a sérült madarat.
The massage therapist worked with such gentleness that the pain slowly faded.
You need more gentleness when you wash that delicate fabric.
The doctor examined the baby with a professional calm and gentleness.
Learner examples
He held the baby with gentleness.
Gyengéden tartotta a babát.
Please use gentleness when you brush her hair.
Kérlek, legyél gyengéd, amikor fésülöd a haját.
The nurse showed gentleness as she cleaned the cut.
We must move the old man with gentleness so we do not hurt him.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with emotional gentleness in behavior. This meaning is about physical touch or movement (e.g., "the gentleness of her hands"), not general personality.
Meaning
softness in touch or movement
Collocations
the gentleness of his touch
|handle with gentleness
|move with gentleness
|with great gentleness
|gentleness of her movements
Synonyms
softness (Often describes the feel of a surface, but can also describe a light, non-forceful touch similar to this sense of "gentleness.")
|
delicacy (Emphasizes careful, precise handling of something fragile; slightly more formal than "gentleness.")
Antonyms
roughness (Describes touch or movement that is hard, careless, or likely to cause damage, the direct opposite of gentle handling.)
|
forcefulness (Highlights strong, powerful action rather than light and careful movement.)
Themes
physical_actions
|safety
|health
|body
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The quality of touching, holding, or moving something in a soft, careful way, without using much force.
The quality of being soft, careful, and not rough in physical touch, handling, or movement.
NOUN
C1
3
enyheség
B2
kíméletesség
B2
Usage pattern:
the gentleness of [something] (e.g., the climate, the sentence)
The gentleness of the climate allows crops to grow all year round.
Az éghajlat enyhesége lehetővé teszi, hogy egész évben termesszenek növényeket.
Many patients appreciate the gentleness of this new treatment.
Sok beteg értékeli ennek az új kezelésnek a kíméletességét.
Some critics argued that the gentleness of the sentence sent the wrong message.
We were surprised by the gentleness of the winter in this region.
Its gentleness makes the medication suitable for children and the elderly.
Learner examples
The gentleness of the weather makes this island popular.
Az időjárás enyhesége népszerűvé teszi ezt a szigetet.
Doctors like the gentleness of this drug on the stomach.
Az orvosok értékelik, hogy ez a gyógyszer kíméli a gyomrot.
People complained about the gentleness of the punishment.
The gentleness of the rules helps new workers feel relaxed.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse "soft" here (e.g., *"soft winter"* or *"soft punishment"*). In these contexts, "mild" or "gentleness"/"mildness" is more natural: "a mild winter," "the gentleness of the punishment."
Meaning
mildness or lack of severity
Collocations
the gentleness of the climate
|the gentleness of the treatment
|the gentleness of the sentence
|relative gentleness
|due to its gentleness
Synonyms
mildness (Very close in meaning; commonly used for weather, flavors, and penalties, similar to this sense of "gentleness.")
|
leniency (Refers especially to mild punishment or relaxed rules; more legal or formal than "gentleness.")
Antonyms
severity (Direct opposite, describing great harshness or strictness, especially in climate, rules, or punishment.)
|
intensity (Highlights a high degree of strength or force, contrasting with the mild character implied by "gentleness.")
Themes
weather
|law
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The quality of not being very strong or hard, for example when talking about the weather, a punishment, or a treatment.
The quality of being mild and not severe, strong, or intense, especially when describing climate, rules, punishment, or the effect of something.
Grammar
Dictionary form
gentleness
IPA
GB/d͡ʒˈɛntəlnəs/
US/d͡ʒˈɛntəlnəs/
Syllables & stress
gen - tle - ness (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (gen)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: gentleness
- Plural: gentleness
Word family
Expressions
treat [someone] with gentleness
1/tɹˈit sˈʌmwˌʌn wˈɪθ d͡ʒˈɛntəlnəs/
fixed phrase
behave kindly and softly toward someone
To be kind and soft when you deal with a person, and not hard or cruel.
Examples
- Teachers are encouraged to treat students with gentleness and respect.
- We should treat ourselves with gentleness when we make mistakes.
with gentleness
1/wˈɪθ d͡ʒˈɛntəlnəs/
fixed phrase
in a gentle, not harsh way
In a way that is soft, careful, and not hard or rough.
Examples
- She spoke with gentleness, even though she was upset.
- Handle the old book with gentleness so the pages do not tear.