genteel

gen·teel

adjective \jen-ˈtēl\

Definition of GENTEEL

1

a : having an aristocratic quality or flavor : stylish

b : of or relating to the gentry or upper class

c : elegant or graceful in manner, appearance, or shape

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

b (1) : marked by false delicacy, prudery, or affectation (2) : conventionally or insipidly pretty <timid and genteel artistic style>

— gen·teel·ly \-ˈtē(l)-lē\ adverb

— gen·teel·ness noun

Examples of GENTEEL

1. a person of genteel upbringing
2. She was born into a genteel family.
3. an elderly woman living in genteel poverty
4. speaking in a genteel accent
5. They lived in a more genteel era.
6. the genteel manners of an old southern gentleman

Origin of GENTEEL

Middle French gentil gentle

First Known Use: 1599

Related to GENTEEL

Synonyms

befitting, correct, decent, decorous, de rigueur, proper, nice, polite, respectable, seemly

Antonyms

improper, inappropriate, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, indelicate, unbecoming, ungenteel, unseemly

Related Words

acceptable, adequate, satisfactory, tolerable; dress, dressy, formal; dignified, elegant, gracious; priggish, prim, stiff, stuffy; apt, material, relevant; compatible, congenial, harmonious; allowed, authorized, kosher, permitted

Near Antonyms

intolerable, unacceptable, unsatisfactory; casual, grungy, informal; seedy, shabby, tacky; banned, barred, disallowed; forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed; awkward, gauche, ungraceful

Rhymes with GENTEEL

aiguille, all-wheel, anneal, appeal, big deal, big wheel, bilge keel, bonemeal, bonspiel, cam wheel, Castile, cartwheel, chainwheel, chenille, cogwheel, conceal, congeal, cornmeal, done deal, eared seal, enwheel, fifth wheel, fish meal, flywheel, forefeel, for real, four-wheel, freewheel, fur seal, get real, good deal, great seal, handwheel, harp seal, ideal, inchmeal, mild steel, mill wheel, misdeal, mobile, Mobile, monk seal, mouthfeel, New Deal, newsreel, nosewheel, oatmeal, O'Neal, pastille, piecemeal, pinwheel, prayer wheel, raw deal, repeal, reveal, schlemiel, self-heal, side-wheel, singspiel, somedeal, spike heel, stabile, tahsil, Tar Heel, thumbwheel, unreel, unseal, worm wheel