gentleness

UK: /ˈdʒɛnt^əlnɪs/

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

gentleness / ˈdʒɛnt^əlnɪs/ noun

1. the quality of being gentle
2. a property of elementary particles, conserved in certain strong interactions
   See also charm17

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

gen•tle /ˈdʒɛntəl/   adj., -tler, -tlest. 

1. kindly; amiable;
   calm:
   She had a soothing, gentle manner.
2. not severe, rough, or violent;
   mild;
   light:
   a gentle tap on the arm.
3. moderate:
   gentle heat.
4. not steep;
   gradual:
   a gentle slope.
5. easily handled or managed:
   a gentle animal.
6. soft or low:
   a gentle sound.

gen•tle•ness, n. [uncountable]
gen•tly /ˈdʒɛntli/  adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

gen•tle  ( jen′tl), adj., -tler, -tlest, v., -tled, -tling. 
adj. 

1. kindly;
   amiable:
   a gentle manner.
2. not severe, rough, or violent;
   mild:
   a gentle wind; a gentle tap on the shoulder.
3. moderate:
   gentle heat.
4. gradual:
   a gentle slope.
5. of good birth or family;
   wellborn.
6. characteristic of good birth;
   honorable;
   respectable:
   a gentle upbringing.
7. easily handled or managed;
   tractable:
   a gentle animal.
8. soft or low:
   a gentle sound.
9. polite;
   refined:
   Consider, gentle reader, my terrible predicament at this juncture.
10. entitled to a coat of arms;
    armigerous.
11. [Archaic.] noble;
    chivalrous:
    a gentle knight.

v.t. 

12. to tame;
    render tractable.
13. to mollify;
    calm;
    pacify.
14. to make gentle.
15. to stroke;
    soothe by petting.
16. to ennoble;
    dignify.

• Latin gentīlis belonging to the same family, equivalent. to gent- (stem of gēns) gens + -īlis -le
• Old French gentil highborn, noble
• Middle English gentle, gentil(e) 1175–1225

gen′tle•ness, n. 
gen′tly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. clement, peaceful, pacific, soothing; tender, humane, lenient, merciful.
  Gentle, meek, mild refer to an absence of bad temper or belligerence.
  Gentle has reference esp. to disposition and behavior, and often suggests a deliberate or voluntary kindness or forbearance in dealing with others:
  a gentle pat; gentle with children.
  Meek implies a submissive spirit, and may even indicate undue submission in the face of insult or injustice:
  meek and even servile or weak.
  Mild suggests absence of harshness or severity, rather because of natural character or temperament than conscious choice:
  a mild rebuke; a mild manner.
• 3. temperate.
• 5. noble.
• 7. manageable, docile, tame, quiet.
• 9. courteous; polished.

Antonyms

• 1. harsh, cruel.
• 2. violent, sudden.
• 7. wild, unruly.