gently
6 synonyms and 1 antonyms for gently, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adv — Softly or lightly, without force or roughness.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use gently
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English gentilly/gentilliche, built from gentle plus the adverb suffix -ly.
Full origin of gently →Frequently asked questions
What does “gently” mean?
The word “gently” means softly or lightly, without force or roughness. In plain terms, in a soft, careful, or mild way.
How do you pronounce “gently”?
“Gently” is pronounced JEHNT-lee ([ˈd͡ʒɛ̃ɾ̃li] in IPA).
How do you use “gently” in a sentence?
Here is “gently” used in a sentence: “He gently closed the door so as not to wake the baby.”
What is the opposite of “gently”?
The opposite of “gently” — its antonyms — is roughly.
What part of speech is “gently”?
“Gently” is an adverb.
Where does the word “gently” come from?
The word “gently” comes from Middle English. From Middle English gentilly/gentilliche, built from gentle plus the adverb suffix -ly.
Is “gently” a common word?
“Gently” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “gently” have?
“Gently” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: softly or lightly, without force or roughness.
What is the difference between gently and softly?
The two overlap, but 'softly' most often describes sound or touch, as in 'speak softly', while 'gently' emphasises care and lack of force in an action, as in 'gently close the door' or 'handle the parcel gently'. Something done gently is done without roughness; something done softly is done quietly or lightly.
Is it 'gentler' or 'more gently'?
'Gentler' is the comparative of the adjective gentle, used to describe nouns: 'a gentler voice'. For the adverb gently, use 'more gently' to compare actions: 'speak more gently'. Saying 'speak gentler' is common in casual speech but nonstandard in careful writing.
When should you use gently instead of carefully?
Use 'gently' when the point is light physical force or softness, as in 'pat the dough gently'. Use 'carefully' when the point is attention and avoiding mistakes or danger, as in 'read the contract carefully'. You can carry something carefully but still not gently, so the words are not interchangeable.