by degrees

adverb
UK: /baɪ dɪˈɡriːz/
US: /baɪ dɪˈɡriːz/

  1. Gradually; little by little.

    1. The music faded by degrees until it was almost silent.
    2. The project improved by degrees, showing slow but steady progress toward completion.

  2. In small increments or stages; not suddenly or all at once.

    1. By degrees, I started to understand the complex rules of the game.
    2. The pain lessened by degrees after I took the medication and rested quietly.

Synonyms

slowly little by little
by degrees idiom

  1. Slowly and steadily; a gradual process.

    1. The weather changed by degrees from warm to cold.
    2. The old building crumbled by degrees as the years passed without repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "by degrees" in English means: Gradually; little by little., In small increments or stages; not suddenly or all at once..

The phonetic transcription of "by degrees" is /baɪ dɪˈɡriːz/ in British English and /baɪ dɪˈɡriːz/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "by degrees": slowly, little by little.

Example usage of "by degrees": "The music faded by degrees until it was almost silent.". More examples on the page.