gradient

Meaning

Noun

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.

Adj

1. (not-comparable) Moving by steps; walking.
2. (not-comparable) Rising or descending by regular degrees of inclination.
3. (not-comparable) Adapted for walking, as the feet of certain birds.

Synonyms

slope

incline

inclination

slant

pitch

grade

fall

acclivity

cant

declivity

downgrade

flair

flexion

gangplank

gradation

hillside

inflection

inflexion

leaning

list

penchant

proclivity

propensity

rake

runway

steepness

tendency

tilt

tipping

transition

gankway

rate of slope

step height

inclination pitch

batter

bend

bent

bias

brae

careen

conjugation

declination

Translations

gradient

pente

gradiente

Gefälle

Gradient

gradiënt

inclinaison

Steigung

desnivel

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɡɹeɪdiənt/

Etymology

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