gently

English Online Dictionary. What means gently‎? What does gently mean?

English

Alternative forms

• gentilly (obsolete or archaic, Southern US)
• gentlely (proscribed)

Etymology

From Middle English gentilly, gentlych, gentilliche, equivalent to gentle +‎ -ly, with *-lely simplified to -ly by haplology.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈd͡ʒɛntli/
  • (General American) IPA^(key): [ˈd͡ʒɛ̃ɾ̃li], [ˈd͡ʒɛnli]
• Hyphenation: gen‧tly

Adverb

gently (comparative gentlier or more gently, superlative gentliest or most gently)

1. In a manner characterized by gentleness
   1. Without strong force or quickness: softly, lightly.
   2. In a gentle manner; to a gentle degree.
   3. Quietly: without much noise or motion.
2. (historical) From a gentle or high-class family.

3. (obsolete) In the manner of one of gentle birth; in a manner that reflects the traditional virtues of the gentry: courteously, nobly.

Antonyms

• roughly

Derived terms

Translations

References

• “gently”, in Collins English Dictionary.