gentle
gb/d͡ʒˈɛntəl/ us/d͡ʒˈɛntəl/
A2
English
~ 2700
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Kind and mild in manner
Kind and calm; not rough or unkind.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is gentle with [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'gentle' with 'soft'. 'Soft' usually describes texture, while 'gentle' describes behavior or manner.
Synonyms
kind (More general; applies to all considerate behavior, not just mildness.)
|
tender (Often emphasizes emotional warmth or affection.)
Antonyms
harsh (Implies severity or cruelty, opposite of mildness.)
|
rough (Describes physical or emotional lack of smoothness or care.)
Collocations
gentle voice
|gentle touch
|gentle smile
|gentle manner
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|personality
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She spoke in a gentle voice to calm the child.
- He has a gentle nature that makes everyone feel at ease.
- Please be gentle when handling the fragile vase.
Learner examples
- The teacher is very gentle with the students.
- He gave the baby a gentle hug.
- She has a gentle smile.
adjective
A2
property
2
Mild in force or effect
Not strong or hard; light in force.
Usage pattern:
gentle [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'gentle' with 'slow'. 'Gentle' refers to force, not speed.
Synonyms
mild (Often used for weather, flavors, or conditions; similar in meaning.)
Antonyms
strong (Indicates high force or intensity.)
|
intense (Indicates extreme strength or effect.)
Collocations
gentle breeze
|gentle rain
|gentle slope
Themes
nature
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- A gentle breeze came through the open window.
- We enjoyed a gentle walk along the river.
- The medicine has a gentle effect on the stomach.
Learner examples
- A gentle wind is blowing.
- The hill has a gentle slope.
- He spoke in a gentle tone.
Verb
B2
action
3
To calm or soften someone or something
To make someone feel calm or less angry.
Usage pattern:
to gentle [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize 'gentle' as a verb is less common and often literary or specialized.
Synonyms
soothe (Emphasizes reducing pain or distress.)
Antonyms
agitate (Means to make someone nervous, upset, or excited.)
Collocations
gentle a horse
|gentle the mood
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She tried to gentle the frightened child.
- He spoke softly to gentle the horse before riding it.
- The music helped to gentle her nerves.
Learner examples
- He tried to gentle the baby.
- Soft words can gentle angry people.
- Music can gentle my feelings.
adjective
formal
C1
property
4
Of high social status
From a high social class; noble.
Synonyms
noble (Directly refers to hereditary aristocracy.)
Antonyms
common (Refers to ordinary people without noble status.)
Collocations
gentle birth
Themes
society
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She was of gentle birth and well-educated.
- In those days, only the gentle could afford such luxuries.
- The novel describes the life of a gentle lady in Victorian England.
Learner examples
- He was from a gentle family.
- Only gentle people lived in that big house.
- She married into a gentle family.
Grammar
Dictionary form
gentle
IPA
GB/d͡ʒˈɛntəl/
US/d͡ʒˈɛntəl/
Syllables & stress
gentle (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (gentle)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: gentle
- Comparative: gentler
- Superlative: gentlest
Verb
- Base: gentle
- 3rd Person Singular: gentles
- Present Participle: gentling
- Past: gentled
Word family
Forms
gentles
verb
gentling
verb
gentled
verb
gentler
adjective
gentlest
adjective
Core family
gently
adverb A2
gentleness
noun B2
Related words
gentleman
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
rough
adjective A2
Advanced or less common
gentlemanly
adjective
Expressions
gentle as a lamb
1/d͡ʒˈɛntəl ˈæz ə lˈæm/
idiom
Extremely mild and harmless
Very quiet and kind; not dangerous at all.
Examples
- The new puppy is as gentle as a lamb.
- He seems tough but is gentle as a lamb with his kids.
take it gently
1/tˈeɪk ˈɪt d͡ʒˈɛntli/
fixed phrase
Do something slowly and carefully
Do something slowly and with care so nothing is hurt or broken.
Examples
- Take it gently when you move the chair.
- She told him to take it gently with the injured bird.
gentle giant
1/d͡ʒˈɛntəl d͡ʒˈaɪənt/
idiom
A big but kind person
A very big person who is kind and friendly.
Examples
- Although he looks scary, he's really a gentle giant.
- Despite his size, Mark is a gentle giant who loves animals.
- The actor is known as a gentle giant off-screen.
- The wrestler was known as a gentle giant outside the ring.