by degrees

by de·gree

B b

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [bahy dih-gree]
- /baɪ dɪˈgri/
- /baɪ dɪˈɡriː/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [bahy dih-gree]
- /baɪ dɪˈgri/

Definitions of by degrees words

phrase by degrees If something happens by degrees, it happens slowly and gradually. 3
noun by degrees little by little; gradually 3
noun by degrees step by step; gradually 3
noun by degrees any of a series of steps or stages, as in a process or course of action; a point in any scale. 1
noun by degrees a stage or point in or as if in progression or retrogression: We followed the degrees of her recovery with joy. 1
noun by degrees a stage in a scale of intensity or amount: a high degree of mastery. 1

See all 22 definitions of by degrees

Information block about the term

Origin of by degrees

First appearance:

before 1200

One of the 9% oldest English words

1200-50; Middle English degre < Anglo-French, Old French < Vulgar Latin *dēgradus; see de-, grade

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for By degrees

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of By degrees

by degrees popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 97% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

by degrees usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for by degrees

adv by degrees

bit by bit — If something happens bit by bit, it happens in stages.
gradually — taking place, changing, moving, etc., by small degrees or little by little: gradual improvement in health.
steadily — firmly placed or fixed; stable in position or equilibrium: a steady ladder.
continuously — uninterrupted in time; without cessation: continuous coughing during the concert.
inch by inch — a unit of length, 1/12 (0.0833) foot, equivalent to 2.54 centimeters.

All 7 Synonyms of by degrees