Meaning & use

gradient

noun·Academic

The steepness of a slope, or a gradual change in the value of something, such as color or temperature, over a distance.

See it in a sentence

Cyclists dreaded the steep gradient near the top of the mountain pass.

The design used a soft gradient that shifted from pale blue to deep purple.

A note on using this word

Gradient is used literally for roads and terrain, in design and art for smooth color transitions, and in science and math for the rate of change of a quantity.

Words with a similar meaning

slopeincline

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “gradient”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.