småningom

Småningom is a Swedish adverb that means gradually, little by little, or over time. It describes a process that unfolds slowly toward a development or outcome. In everyday language it can stand on its own, as in "Småningom gick saken bättre" or "Småningom blev de överens," and it is also commonly used in the fixed phrase "så småningom," meaning "eventually" or "in time."

Origin: Småningom is a native Swedish word. Most linguists view it as a compound of "små" (little) and an old adverbial suffix "-ningom" that appears in other words denoting progression or duration. The earliest attested forms appear in Early Modern Swedish, but precise dating and development vary by source.

Usage and nuance: The term emphasizes gradual change rather than abrupt shifts. It is versatile across registers, appearing in both spoken and written language. While it can be compared with synonyms such as gradvis or efterhand, småningom carries a sense of a long, unfolding process toward a conclusion or result.