“gradually” 意为“逐渐地;渐渐地”,强调变化或进展是缓慢、分阶段发生的。(也可在少数语境中表示“循序地/一点点地”。)
/ˈɡrædʒuəli/
The weather gradually got warmer.
天气逐渐变暖了。
As she practiced every day, her confidence gradually increased, and she began to speak more freely in class.
由于她每天练习,她的自信心逐渐增强,并开始在课堂上更自在地发言。
“gradually” 来自拉丁语 gradus(“步伐、步骤、级”),经由“按步骤地”这一含义发展为“逐渐地”。它与 grade(等级)、gradual(逐步的)同源。