grad ‧ u ‧ al /ˈɡrædʒuəl/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Medieval Latin ; Origin: gradualis , from Latin gradus ; ⇨ ↑ grade 1 ]
1 . happening slowly over a long period of time OPP sudden :
There has been a gradual change in climate.
the gradual decline in manufacturing industry
Education is a gradual process.
2 . a gradual slope is not steep
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THESAURUS
▪ slow not moving quickly or not doing something quickly:
I was always one of the slowest runners in my class.
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My computer’s really slow compared to the ones at school.
▪ gradual happening, developing, or changing slowly over a long period of time:
a gradual rise in the Earth’s temperature
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I’ve noticed a gradual improvement in his work.
▪ leisurely especially written moving or doing something slowly, especially because you are enjoying what you are doing and do not have to hurry:
a leisurely breakfast
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They walked at a leisurely pace.
▪ unhurried especially written moving or doing something in a slow and calm way, without rushing at all:
She continued to listen, seeming relaxed and unhurried.
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the doctor’s calm unhurried manner
▪ sluggish moving or reacting more slowly than usual, especially because of a loss of power or energy. Also used when business, sales, or the economy seem very slow:
The car seems rather sluggish going uphill.
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The drink was making her sluggish.
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the company’s sluggish performance this year
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Sales have been sluggish.
▪ lethargic moving slowly, because you feel as if you have no energy and no interest in doing anything:
She woke up feeling heavy and lethargic.
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His son seemed depressed and lethargic.
▪ languid literary slow and with very little energy or activity – used about people, actions, or periods of time:
She lifted her hand in a languid wave.
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a long languid afternoon in the middle of summer
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He was pale and had rather a languid air about him.
▪ glacial literary extremely slow – used especially about the speed at which something happens:
Things are changing, but at a glacial pace.