# gradient

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɡɹeɪdiənt/ · frequency rank #15,417

## Definitions
1. A slope or incline.
2. A rate of inclination or declination of a slope.
3. The ratio of the rates of change of a dependent variable and an independent variable, the slope of a curve's tangent.
4. The rate at which a physical quantity increases or decreases relative to change in a given variable, especially distance.
5. A differential operator that maps each point of a scalar field to a vector pointed in the direction of the greatest rate of change of the scalar. Notation for a scalar field φ: ∇φ
6. A gradual change in color; a color gradient; gradation.

## Etymology
From Latin gradiēns, present participle of gradior (“to step, to walk”).

## Easily confused with
- **grading** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gradient-vs-grading)

## Common misspellings (12)
`gardient`, `ggradient`, `graddient`, `gradeint`, `gradiennt`, `gradientt`, `gradietn`, `gradinet`, `graident`, `grdaient`, `grradient`, `rgadient`

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