gentry

gen·try

noun \ˈjen-trē\

plural gentries

Definition of GENTRY

1

a obsolete : the qualities appropriate to a person of gentle birth; especially : courtesy

b : the condition or rank of a gentleman

2

a : upper or ruling class : aristocracy

b : a class whose members are entitled to bear a coat of arms though not of noble rank; especially : the landed proprietors having such status

3

: people of a specified class or kind : folks <no real heroes or heroines among the academic gentry — R. G. Hanvey>

Examples of GENTRY

1. <poor tenant farmers working for landed gentry>
2. <the old-line yachting gentry frowns on vulgar displays of wealth>

Origin of GENTRY

Middle English gentrie, alteration of gentrise

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to GENTRY

Synonyms

elite, gentility, gentlefolk (also gentlefolks), aristocracy, nobility, patriciate, quality, upper class, upper crust

Antonyms

proletarians, proletariat

Related Words

A-list, beau monde, beautiful people, café society, Four Hundred (or 400), glitterati, haut monde (also haute monde), jet set, society; carriage trade, plutocracy

Near Antonyms

commoners, (the) crowd, (the) masses, peasantry, peonage, (the) people, plebeians, plebs, (the) populace, (the) public, rank and file; bourgeoisie, middle class, working class; dregs, (the) herd, (the) mob, rabble, rabblement, riffraff, scum, trash

Rhymes with GENTRY

entry, sentry