gradually
gradually は英検準2級・英検2級・TOEIC 600レベルの英単語で、「だんだん、徐々に」という意味があります。発音記号は /ˈɡrædʒuəli/ です。
意味一覧 (2件)
だんだん
解説 Definition
gradually は、変化や進行が一度にではなく、時間とともにだんだん起こることを表す副詞です。気温・量・気持ち・能力・状況などが少しずつ変わる場面でよく使います。日常会話にも説明文にも合います。
Gradually describes a change that happens little by little over time, not all at once. It is often used when temperature, amount, feelings, ability, or a situation changes step by step. This adverb is common with verbs like change, become, increase, and improve, and it works well in both everyday conversation and more formal explanation.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
gradually は gradual（段階的な）に副詞の -ly が付いた形です。grade や graduate と同じく「段・一歩」の感覚を持つ語だと見ると、急に変わるのではなく一段ずつ進むイメージがつかめます。slowly は単に速度が遅いことも表せますが、gradually は change, become, increase, improve など、状態がだんだん変わる動詞と特に相性がよい語です。
Think of gradually as gradual plus -ly. It has the idea of moving by steps, like grade or graduate, so the image is not a sudden change but a change that happens one step at a time. Slowly can just mean "not fast," but gradually is especially natural with verbs like change, become, increase, and improve.
例文
The weather gradually became warmer in the spring.
春になると天気はだんだん暖かくなった。
She gradually got used to living in a new city.
彼女は新しい町での生活にだんだん慣れていった。
The company gradually improved its service after listening to customer feedback.
その会社は客の意見を聞いて、サービスをだんだん改善していった。
徐々に
(意味 2)解説 Definition
時間をかけてゆっくりと進むことを表現します。少しずつ段階的に変化や進展が起こることを意味します。
Gradually means slowly and in small stages, not all at once. It is used when a change, increase, or decrease happens over time. This word often describes natural processes or careful progress.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
gradually は「徐々に」と訳し、説明文・報告・ニュースなどで変化の進み方を落ち着いて述べる副詞として覚えるとよいです。gradual（段階的な）に副詞の -ly が付いた形なので、変化が一歩ずつ進むイメージです。temperature gradually rises, symptoms gradually improve, the plan gradually moves forward のように、温度・症状・計画・気持ち・状況が時間をかけて変わる場面で使います。
Notice gradual inside gradually, plus the -ly ending that makes it an adverb. It describes change happening step by step over time. It often goes with verbs like increase, improve, change, rise, and become. The tone is useful in explanations, reports, and news.
例文
The temperature gradually increased.
気温は徐々に上昇しました。
She gradually learned to play the piano.
彼女は徐々にピアノの弾き方を学びました。
The sun gradually set over the horizon.
太陽は地平線上に徐々に沈みました。
gradually の語源・成り立ち Etymology
gradual（段階的な）＋ -ly。gradual はラテン語 gradus「一歩・段」に由来し、「段を追って進む」感覚から現在の意味になりました。
Gradually comes from gradual plus the adverb ending -ly. Gradual is related to the Latin word gradus, meaning "step" or "degree." From this idea of moving step by step, the word came to mean something happening little by little.
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