Word · CEFR A2 · Frequency #2325
gradually
/ˈɡrædʒuəli/
adverb
逐渐；逐步
In a gradual manner; happening or changing slowly over time.
- 1.
In a gradual manner; making slow progress; slowly.
逐渐地；缓慢地。
- 2.
in a gradual manner
以渐进的方式
逐渐地；缓慢地。；以渐进的方式；逐渐地
In use
The sky gradually turned from blue to orange as the sun set.
She gradually improved her English by practicing every day.
The noise outside gradually faded away after midnight.
the snake moved gradually toward its victim
subject + gradually + verb
gradually 位于主语和动词之间，是最常见的位置。
The company gradually expanded its operations.
公司逐渐扩大了业务。
verb + gradually
gradually 位于动词之后，常用于不及物动词。
The disease progresses gradually.
疾病逐渐进展。
Gradually, + [clause]
Connections
Collocations
- gradually increase
- 逐渐增加
- The population of the city has gradually increased over the past decade.过去十年里，这座城市的人口逐渐增加。
- gradually decrease
- 逐渐减少
- The company's profits have been gradually decreasing since last year.自去年以来，公司的利润一直在逐渐减少。
- gradually change
- 逐渐改变
- Her attitude towards the project gradually changed as she learned more about it.随着她对项目了解的增加，她的态度逐渐改变了。
- gradually improve
- 逐渐改善
- With consistent practice, his English skills have gradually improved.通过持续的练习，他的英语水平逐渐提高了。
- gradually develop
- 逐渐发展
- The city has gradually developed into a major economic hub.这座城市逐渐发展成为一个主要的经济中心。
Learner notes
Memory Tip
gradual（逐渐的）+ ly，想象沙漏的沙子一粒粒落下，逐渐积累。
Context & Register
通常用于正式或非正式场合，表示缓慢而持续的变化过程，语气中性。
Grammar Note
常位于实义动词之前，也可置于句首或句末。
Pronunciation & Spelling
These words share the spelling chunk '-ually' but have distinct pronunciations: the consonant preceding '-ually' varies (e.g., /tʃ/, /dʒ/, /ʒ/, /nj/). None rhyme exactly with 'gradually' (/'grædʒuəli/).
High-value vocabulary
该词属于 Oxford 核心词汇，值得优先掌握常见搭配和句型。
Dictionary facts from DICTIONARY_API_DEV, ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.