Gradation
/ˌɡrædʒuˈeɪʃən/
nounB2
Definition
Gradation is when something changes little by little in steps or levels, not all at once. It often describes colors that slowly change from light to dark or sounds that get louder in small increases. The idea is a smooth, gradual movement between different points.
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See It in Action
A series of small changes or steps between different levels or degrees
- •The gradation of temperature from warm to cold was very noticeable in the morning.
- •The artist painted the sky with a beautiful gradation of blue shades.
- •The sound volume showed a smooth gradation from soft to loud.
A gradual change in color, tone, or quality
- •The photograph showed a nice gradation from dark to light areas.
- •The sunset had a perfect gradation of orange and pink colors.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "gradation" like "change," but the change happens slowly and in small steps, like climbing stairs instead of jumping down
- ✓Picture a rainbow where colors blend gently from red to violet without sharp lines between them
- ✓It's the feeling of slowly waking up in the morning when light grows bit by bit, not suddenly
- ✓Sounds like "grade-uation" → imagine a school grade changing little by little, like from a B to a B+ to an A slowly
- ✓Imagine an artist mixing paint colors carefully to make a smooth color shift on a wall or picture
- ✓NOT like "jump" or "switch" which are sudden changes; gradation is smooth and steady
- ✓NOT like "contrast" which shows strong, clear differences; gradation is about blending and small differences
- ✓NOT like "gradation" caused by outside forces suddenly; it is a natural or planned slow change
Try Other Words
- •Gradation: a slow or step-by-step change (Use when describing smooth changes in color, sound, or level)
- •Transition: the process of changing from one state to another (Use when focusing on the change itself, not just the steps)
- •Range: a set of different amounts or degrees (Use when emphasizing the variety or spread, not the smoothness)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "grad-" (step, degree) + "-ation" (a noun suffix meaning "the act or process of")
- •Etymology: From Latin "gradatio," meaning a step or a degree in a series
- •Historical development: First used in English in the 1600s to describe steps or stages in a process or scale
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in art, science, and language to describe smooth changes in color, sound, or quality
- •Key insight: The word focuses on small, ordered steps that make a smooth change, not sudden or big jumps
Reflect & Connect
•How can you see gradation in nature around you, like in the sky or in seasons?
•When might it be better to have a clear, sudden change instead of a gradual gradation?
Fill in the blanks
1.The gradation of color in the painting was so smooth that you could not see any ___ between shades.
2.When the music played, there was a slow gradation from quiet to ___ volume.
3.Unlike a sudden change, gradation happens in many small ___ that connect one state to another.
4.The photographer used gradation to show the ___ from dark shadows to bright light.
5.Gradation is often seen in nature, like the ___ of leaves changing color in autumn.
6.Artists use gradation to make their work look more ___ and natural.
7.The temperature showed a gradation because it did not ___ suddenly but changed little by little.