stepwise
/ˈstepwaɪz/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈstepwaɪz/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstep-ˌwīz/ (ame, mw) · /ˈstep.waɪz/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈstep.waɪz/ (ame, ipa)
stepwise — adjective
- stepwisepositive
- more stepwisecomparative
- most stepwisesuperlative
1. done through separate ordered stages, with each part following the one before it
done through separate ordered stages, with each part following the one before it rather than happening all at once.
Christopher suggested a stepwise plan for fixing the old bridge.
stepwise + noun for a staged plan
The clinic used a stepwise approach to lower Baraka's blood pressure safely.
stepwise approach in treatment
A stepwise rise in rent gave small shops time to adjust.
The company followed a stepwise training system for new drivers.
- gradual
emphasizes slow change, but not always clearly divided stages
- phased
stresses that the stages are planned in advance
- incremental
focuses on small additions or increases at each stage
文法句型
stepwise + noun
be + stepwise
用法筆記
Usually appears before nouns for plans, growth, treatment, or teaching. For everyday instructions given directly to a reader, step-by-step is often more common.
2. in music, moving from one note to a neighboring note in the scale instead of jum
in music, moving from one note to a neighboring note in the scale instead of jumping over notes.
The melody ends with a stepwise move from G to A.
neighboring notes in a scale
Aoi wrote a calm stepwise line for the violins.
stepwise line in music writing
The teacher asked the choir to sing the scale in stepwise motion.
The tune sounds smooth because its opening is stepwise, not jumpy.
- disjunct
technical term for movement by leaps rather than neighboring notes
文法句型
stepwise + motion
stepwise + melody/line
用法筆記
Mainly used in music lessons and music writing. It contrasts with movement by leaps, where a tune skips over one or more notes.
stepwise — adverb
1. by moving through ordered stages one after another, not in one continuous or sud
by moving through ordered stages one after another, not in one continuous or sudden action.
Meera checked each wire stepwise before turning the machine on.
verb + object + stepwise
The nurse explained the exercise stepwise so Aaron could follow it alone.
explain something stepwise
The town rebuilt the storm wall stepwise over three summers.
Noor solved the long division problem stepwise on the board.
- gradually
focuses on slow change, not always on clear stages
- incrementally
emphasizes small additions at each stage
- piecemeal
often suggests separate parts done over time, sometimes less systematically
- abruptly
happens suddenly instead of in ordered stages
- all at once
describes doing the whole action in a single move
文法句型
verb + stepwise
proceed + stepwise
用法筆記
Often describes a plan, explanation, or repair completed in ordered parts. It is more formal than step by step, which is more common in everyday instructions.