🇫🇷French Source WordCode: FR

doucement

Pronunciation / Transliteration: dous-mah

🇬🇧 Direct English Meaning:
Gently/ˈdʒɛntli/
adverbCEFR B1 (Intermediate)Top #2150 frequency
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🇫🇷 Example Sentence in French:

"Il a posé la tasse doucement sur la table."

Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As adverb
  1. 1

    In a mild, tender, or considerate manner, without force, harshness, or violence.

    "She lifted the sleeping baby gently from the crib."
  2. 2

    Gradually, smoothly, and without sudden changes in movement or intensity.

    "The boat rocked gently on the calm water."

Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum

Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Middle English word 'gentil', coming from the Old French 'gentil' (noble, graceful) and ultimately from the Latin 'gentilis' (of a clan or family). Over time, the meaning shifted from denoting noble birth or manners to characterizing physical or emotional actions performed with mildness, tenderness, and lack of harshness.

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