Taking place or progressing slowly over time; occurring by small degrees rather than suddenly. Describes change that happens step by step rather than all at once.
From Latin 'gradus' meaning 'step,' the same root that gives us 'grade' and 'graduate.' The word literally means 'by steps,' reflecting the idea of progress made one step at a time rather than in leaps.
Think of gradual as 'GRADE-ual' - like climbing grades or steps one at a time! Just as you can't skip steps on a staircase if you want to climb safely, gradual changes happen one small step at a time.
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