gentle

The word “gentle” means kind, mild, and careful, especially in dealing with others. In plain terms, soft, mild, and careful rather than rough or forceful.

“Gentle” is pronounced JEHNTL (/ˈd͡ʒɛntl̩/ in IPA).

Here is “gentle” used in a sentence: “She spoke in a gentle voice to calm the frightened dog.”

Words with a similar meaning to “gentle” include friendly, kind, polite and respectful.

The opposite of “gentle” — its antonyms — is rude.

Depending on how it is used, “gentle” can be an adjective and a verb.

The word “gentle” comes from Latin. From Old French gentil ("noble, high-born"), from Latin gentilis — the meaning shifted from "of good birth" to "kind and mild-mannered", the trait nobility was supposed to show.

“Gentle” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

"Gentle" emphasizes a mild, soft, and careful manner, especially in how you touch, speak, or handle something. "Kind" emphasizes good intentions and concern for others, so a person can be gentle in their actions and kind in their motives at the same time.

Both "gentler" and "more gentle" are accepted, with "gentler" being the more common comparative and "gentlest" the superlative. "More gentle" can sound natural for emphasis, but "gentler" is usually preferred.

"Soft" often describes physical texture or a lack of firmness, while "gentle" describes a mild, careful quality of action or manner. A pillow is soft, but a touch, breeze, or reminder is gentle.

"Gentle" frequently pairs with words like breeze, giant, reminder, and slope, as in "a gentle reminder" or "a gentle breeze." These phrases draw on its sense of mildness and lack of harshness.