genteel

adjective

gen·teel jen-ˈtēl How to pronounce genteel (audio)

: having an aristocratic quality or flavor : stylish

: of or relating to the gentry or upper class

a person of genteel upbringing

: elegant or graceful in manner, appearance, or shape

the genteel manners of an old southern gentleman

: free from vulgarity or rudeness : polite

: maintaining or striving to maintain the appearance of superior or middle-class social status or respectability

a shabby genteel mansion

b(1)

: marked by false delicacy, prudery, or affectation

was genteel on the surface, but had a hard heart

(2)

: conventionally or insipidly pretty

timid and genteel artistic style

genteelly

jen-ˈtē(l)-lē How to pronounce genteel (audio)

adverb

genteelness noun

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Get Fancy With Genteel

In Roman times, the Latin noun gens was used to refer to a clan, a group of related people. Its plural gentes was used to designate all the people of the world, particularly non-Romans. An adjective form, gentilis, applied to both senses. Over time, the adjective was borrowed and passed through several languages. It came into Old French as gentil, a word that then meant "high-born" (in modern French it means "nice"); that term was carried over into Anglo-French, where English speakers found and borrowed it in the early 17th century.

Example Sentences

a person of genteel upbringing She was born into a genteel family. an elderly woman living in genteel poverty speaking in a genteel accent They lived in a more genteel era. the genteel manners of an old southern gentleman See More

Recent Examples on the Web The Times’ editorial board says that what’s needed now is not genteel deference to political norms but an unflinching pursuit of justice.

Scott Sandell, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2022 Over succeeding decades, birding became more genteel.

Tim Birkhead, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Aug. 2022 The four-person team that handles the team’s social media accounts expect to take a genteel approach to social media.

Michael Cabanatuan, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Oct. 2021 Breakfast and dinner are included in the nightly rate, and mealtime on property is remarkably genteel.

Elycia Rubin, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 May 2022 My wife, a genteel, sophisticated woman of great kindness, has been her usual empathetic, supportive self.

BostonGlobe.com, 25 Mar. 2021 Looking more closely at their policies, neither has a gender equality platform as detailed as the Greens, who are led by Adam Bandt, a former labor lawyer comfortable with conflict, albeit with a more genteel style.

Susan Harris Rimmer, CNN, 19 May 2022 After Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan, the right-wing movement and right-wing media activism had become stronger nationally—and less genteel.

Moira Weigel, The New Republic, 20 Dec. 2021 Many first experienced this outdoor, genteel carnival in baby strollers pushed by their mothers or grandmothers.

Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2022 See More

单词	genteelness
释义	genteel adjective gen·teel jen-ˈtēl 1 a : having an aristocratic quality or flavor : stylish b : of or relating to the gentry or upper class a person of genteel upbringing c : elegant or graceful in manner, appearance, or shape the genteel manners of an old southern gentleman d : free from vulgarity or rudeness : polite 2 a : maintaining or striving to maintain the appearance of superior or middle-class social status or respectability a shabby genteel mansion b(1) : marked by false delicacy, prudery, or affectation was genteel on the surface, but had a hard heart (2) : conventionally or insipidly pretty timid and genteel artistic style genteelly jen-ˈtē(l)-lē adverb genteelness noun Did you know? Get Fancy With Genteel In Roman times, the Latin noun gens was used to refer to a clan, a group of related people. Its plural gentes was used to designate all the people of the world, particularly non-Romans. An adjective form, gentilis, applied to both senses. Over time, the adjective was borrowed and passed through several languages. It came into Old French as gentil, a word that then meant "high-born" (in modern French it means "nice"); that term was carried over into Anglo-French, where English speakers found and borrowed it in the early 17th century. Synonyms befitting correct de rigueur decent decorous nice polite proper respectable seemly See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences a person of genteel upbringing She was born into a genteel family. an elderly woman living in genteel poverty speaking in a genteel accent They lived in a more genteel era. the genteel manners of an old southern gentleman See More Recent Examples on the Web The Times’ editorial board says that what’s needed now is not genteel deference to political norms but an unflinching pursuit of justice. Scott Sandell, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2022 Over succeeding decades, birding became more genteel. Tim Birkhead, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Aug. 2022 The four-person team that handles the team’s social media accounts expect to take a genteel approach to social media. Michael Cabanatuan, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Oct. 2021 Breakfast and dinner are included in the nightly rate, and mealtime on property is remarkably genteel. Elycia Rubin, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 May 2022 My wife, a genteel, sophisticated woman of great kindness, has been her usual empathetic, supportive self. BostonGlobe.com, 25 Mar. 2021 Looking more closely at their policies, neither has a gender equality platform as detailed as the Greens, who are led by Adam Bandt, a former labor lawyer comfortable with conflict, albeit with a more genteel style. Susan Harris Rimmer, CNN, 19 May 2022 After Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan, the right-wing movement and right-wing media activism had become stronger nationally—and less genteel. Moira Weigel, The New Republic, 20 Dec. 2021 Many first experienced this outdoor, genteel carnival in baby strollers pushed by their mothers or grandmothers. Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2022 See More Word History Etymology borrowed from French gentil literally, "of aristocratic birth," going back to Old French — more at gentle entry 1 First Known Use 1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Kids Definition genteel adjective gen·teel jen-ˈtēl 1 : relating to the upper classes a genteel family 2 : having an elegant, tasteful, or polite quality genteel behavior genteelness noun as in attentiveness speech or behavior that is a sign of good breeding the young man displays the kind of old-school genteelness that one rarely encounters on today's college campuses Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance attentiveness elegance manners mannerliness thoughtfulness gallantry hospitality politeness courteousness gracefulness ceremoniousness civility courtesy respectability knightliness chivalrousness gentility graciousness ceremonialness breeding ceremony decorousness gentlemanliness chivalry knighthood consideration felicitousness urbanity courtliness refinement respect deference suaveness friendliness sociability decorum gentilesse seemliness meekness geniality politesse humility formality cordiality polish affability unctuousness decency shyness modesty propriety Antonyms & Near Antonyms rudeness incivility boldness impoliteness disrespect audacity discourteousness insolence brashness surliness shamelessness discourtesy sauciness impudence boorishness impertinence audaciousness vulgarity brassiness churlishness ungraciousness clownishness casualness delinquency informality loutishness inappropriateness indecency presumption impropriety arrogance improperness thoughtlessness inconsiderateness incorrectness conceit inconsideration pretentiousness See More
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genteel

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

adjective

noun