gent‧ly W3 /ˈdʒentli/ adverb
[Word Family: noun: gentleness; adverb: gently; adjective: gentle]

1. in a gentle way:
‘You go back to bed now,’ he said gently.
She kissed me gently on the cheek.
Gently cook the peppers for 10–15 minutes.
Rain pattered gently on the roof above.
The road curved gently upwards.

2. gently/gently does it! British English spoken used to tell someone to be careful when they are handling something, moving something etc:
Gently, Sammy, you don’t want to break it.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

gently
adverb
1.
BAD: The shop assistant asked me gently what I wanted.
GOOD: The shop assistant asked me politely what I wanted.

Usage Note:
gently = in a way that will not hurt or damage anything: 'She held the little bird very gently.'
politely = in a way that shows good manners: 'He politely refused her offer, saying that he didn't want to trouble her.'

---

2.
BAD: I wonder if you would gently lend us a room for one of the monthly meetings.
GOOD: I wonder if you would kindly lend us a room for one of the monthly meetings.

Usage Note:
In polite formal requests, use if you would/could kindly (or if you would be so kind as to ): 'I would be very grateful if you would kindly allow Julian to leave school early on Tuesday.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲