gentleness

/ˈdʒentlnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdʒentlnəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈjen-tᵊl-nəs/ (ame, mw)

gentleness — noun

1. A calm, kind, and soft way of behaving toward others — shown, for instance, thro

1.名詞B2
釋義

A calm, kind, and soft way of behaving toward others — shown, for instance, through a quiet voice, a careful touch, or patience with a nervous animal.

例句

The nurse's gentleness helped the frightened child calm down before the injection.

collocation: gentleness helps/has an effect on someone

Dewi spoke with such gentleness that the angry customer slowly relaxed.

同義詞
  • kindness

    focuses more on helpful, generous actions than on a soft manner

  • tenderness

    suggests warmth and affection, often in close relationships

  • softness

    can also refer to physical texture; less specific to character

反義詞
  • harshness

    rough or cruel behaviour; the opposite of a gentle manner

  • severity

    strictness or sternness, lacking softness

常見錯誤

❌He showed gentleness to the crying child.
✅He treated the crying child with gentleness.
💡'gentleness' typically follows 'with' rather than 'to' when describing how someone is treated.

2. The quality of being mild and not extreme, especially in describing weather, tem

2.名詞B2
釋義

The quality of being mild and not extreme, especially in describing weather, temperature, physical forces, or flavours — for example, a warm spring breeze or a weak current in the sea.

例句

The gentleness of the spring breeze made the long walk feel effortless.

collocation: gentleness of [the breeze/weather]

Asher appreciated the gentleness of the herbal tea after drinking strong coffee for months.

同義詞
  • mildness

    the most direct synonym; natural for weather, flavours, and substances

  • softness

    overlaps but can also refer to texture or light

  • lightness

    used for wind, rain, or touch but less common for temperature

反義詞
  • violence

    extreme force or intensity, especially in weather or physical impact

  • severity

    harshness or extremity, e.g. a severe winter

用法筆記

Commonly used with natural phenomena (breeze, river, winter, massage oil) and consumables (tea, soap, skincare products). Not typically used for abstract forces such as economic pressure or political influence.

常見錯誤

❌The gentleness of the medicine helped her recover.
✅The mildness of the medicine helped her recover.
💡'mildness' is more natural than 'gentleness' for medicines or chemical products.

3. The quality of a surface or path that rises or falls very gradually rather than

3.名詞C1
釋義

The quality of a surface or path that rises or falls very gradually rather than steeply, making it easy to walk or travel over.

例句

Because of the hill's gentleness, elderly visitors could climb to the top easily.

collocation: gentleness of [a hill/slope/incline]

The gentleness of the trail made it a favourite route for family bike rides.

同義詞
  • gradualness

    more formal and suitable for both physical and abstract contexts

  • shallowness

    refers specifically to a low angle but can sound technical

反義詞
  • steepness

    a sharp angle; the direct opposite of a gentle slope

用法筆記

Typically used for physical terrain (hills, slopes, paths, ramps) and rarely for abstract gradients (e.g. price increases or difficulty levels). For abstract uses, 'gradualness' is more appropriate.