# gentle

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈdʒɛntl̩/ · frequency rank #5,419

## Definitions
1. Tender and amiable; of a considerate or kindly disposition.
2. Soft and mild rather than hard or severe.
3. Docile and easily managed.
4. Gradual rather than steep or sudden.
5. Polite and respectful rather than rude.
6. Well-born; of a good family or respectable birth, though not noble.

## Etymology
From Middle English gentil (“courteous, noble”), from Old French gentil (“high-born, noble”), from Latin gentilis (“of the same family or clan”), from gens (“[Roman] clan”). Doublet of gentile, genteel, and jaunty.

## Easily confused with
- **gents** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gentle-vs-gents)
- **gently** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gentle-vs-gently)
- **gentry** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gentle-vs-gentry)
- **gene** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gene-vs-gentle)
- **gent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gent-vs-gentle)
- **genre** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/genre-vs-gentle)
- **genie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/genie-vs-gentle)
- **genome** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/genome-vs-gentle)
- **gentile** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gentile-vs-gentle)
- **genteel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/genteel-vs-gentle)

## Common misspellings (9)
`egntle`, `genlte`, `genntle`, `gentel`, `gentlle`, `genttle`, `getnle`, `ggentle`, `gnetle`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/gentle