noun

gradient

GRAY-dee-uhnt

noun

The steepness or slope of a road, hill, or surface.

"The mountain road has a steep gradient near the summit."

A gradual, smooth transition between two colors or shades.

"The app icon uses a blue-to-purple gradient background."

The rate at which a quantity (such as temperature or pressure) changes over distance.

"Scientists measured the temperature gradient across the lake."

How to Use Gradient

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHow steeply or smoothly something changes — used for slopes, color transitions, and rates of change in science and math.

Common pairings

steep gradient color gradient temperature gradient

gradients plural

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Can you complete this real example?

The mountain road has a steep _____ near the summit.

From Latin gradiens, the present participle of gradior ("to step, to walk").

orient ancient patient salient ambient lenient obedient nutrient sentient impatient transient recipient