Gradually
Steps
adverb, noun
Step by step. If you take things step by step, you're moving up gradually, taking steps.
段々 is often used to describe gradual progress. But sometimes you'll see it used for terraced fields or buildings too, since they sorta resemble steps!
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well.
私の日本語が段々うまくなっていると言ってもらえて、すごく嬉しいです。
I’m glad to hear that my Japanese is gradually getting better.
山田さん、そこ段々になってるから気をつけて！
Mr. Yamada, be careful, the ground is stepped there!
この段々畑の絵、最初は好きじゃなかったけど、見てるうちに段々気に入ってきたんだよね。
At first, I didn't like this painting of the terraced fields, but as I kept looking at it, I gradually started to like it.
段々雲行きが怪しくなってきました。
Gradually, things started to not look good.