1.gentle的基本意思是“性情温和的”,即为人友善,待人温和、亲切,不给人以冷峻、不敢与之接近的感觉,也可指人的行为和修养“文雅的,有礼貌的”,还可指“温顺的; 和缓的”。
2.gentle在句中可用作定语或表语。
3.gentle的比较级和最高级是gentler和gentlest。

as gentle as a dove
极温顺; 极温驯 very gentle〔tender〕
Although a vicious hunter, the lioness was as gentle as a dove when playing with her cubs.尽管那只母狮是猎食其他动物的凶残的野兽,但它同其幼兽玩耍时却非常温顺。

the gentle sex
女性 women
You don't expect to hear such bad language from the gentle sex.人们不能预料会从女性那里听到这样的恶语。

用作定语
▲～+n.
 She was a gentle woman who wouldn't hurt a fly.她是位和善的妇女,连苍蝇都不会伤害。
She greeted me with a very gentle voice.她以十分温柔的声调跟我打招呼。
His gentle manner gains him great respect.他彬彬有礼让人尊敬。
She is a gentle girl.她是位高雅的姑娘。
Cat is a gentle animal.猫是一种温顺的动物。
A gentle rain dropped yesterday morning.昨天上午下了一场小雨。
She gave the baby a gentle pat on the back.她轻轻地在婴儿背上拍了一下。
There is a gentle wind blowing.微风在吹着。
The gentle rolling motion of the ship made me feel sleep.船只轻微的摇动催我入睡。
There is still time to win him back by gentle persuasion.还有时间通过婉言说服工作把他争取回来。
He was a person of gentle blood.他出身名门。
用作表语
▲S+be+～
 Our new teacher is gentle.我们的新老师对我们和蔼可亲。
He is much too gentle and has not used his power.他太温和了,没有使用过他的权力。
You must be gentle when holding a little baby.抱小孩时要轻柔。
The slope is quite gentle.这坡度相当平缓。
▲S+be+～+prep.-phrase
The soap is gentle enough for your skin.这种肥皂对皮肤很柔和。
She is gentle in manner.她举止文雅。
She is unusually soft and gentle to him.她对他的态度特别温柔。
He is kind and gentle to the weak.他对弱者总是友好和善。
Mothers are usually gentle with their babies.母亲对自己的婴儿总是很温柔。
▲S+be+～+for sb+to-v
 The slope is gentle enough for you to walk up.这斜坡不太陡,你可以走上去。

gentle, mild, soft
这组词的共同意思是“温和的”。其区别在于:
1.用于人时, gentle指温和的举动,出于自我克制或对方的体贴; mild则指出于本性; soft指人的性情是温和的、宽厚的、心肠软的、婉转的。例如:
The boy has gentle spirit.那男孩举止文雅。
He has too mild a nature to lose his temper.他性情温和,不会发脾气。
I think the courts are too soft with these young offenders.我认为法院对这些犯法的年轻人太宽厚了。
2.用于物时, gentle可指事物运动变化的缓和; mild指适度、祥和,给人愉快的感觉; soft可指事物的表面的柔软、光滑或声音的温和、较低的等。例如:
A warm, gentle breeze was coming from the sea.海面吹来一阵柔和的暖风。
His eyes were no longer mild but glittered with a suppressed fury.他的目光不再温和,而是迸射出压抑的怒火。
The fur was as soft as velvet.这毛皮有如天鹅绒般软滑。

［同义词］   calm, humane, kind, merciful, quiet, soft, sweet
［反义词］   crude, rough, unkind
［词源］  ＜中古英语＜古法语gentil(高贵,高尚的)