gradually; little by little; step by step
Adverb usually followed by に. Describes a slow, incremental change or progression.
See also: 次第次第に
As spring approaches, it has gradually become warmer.
彼は次第次第に自信をつけていった。
He gradually gained confidence.
Standard kanji spelling. The repetition of 次第 emphasizes gradual progression.
Repetition mark variant. Rarely used in modern writing.
Reduplication of 次第 (しだい), which originally meant 'order' or 'circumstances'. The repetition emphasizes a step-by-step progression.