gentility

gentility

noun

Definition of GENTILITY

1

speech or behavior that is a sign of good breeding <was full of the same gentility and grace that marked the rest of the family>

Synonyms civility, courteousness, courtesy, genteelness, gentility, graciousness, mannerliness

Related Words attentiveness, consideration, thoughtfulness; ceremonialness, ceremoniousness, ceremony, formality; chivalrousness, chivalry, courtliness, gallantry, gentlemanliness, knighthood, knightliness; breeding, manners; suaveness, unctuousness, urbanity; elegance, refinement; deference, respect; decency, decorousness, decorum, gentilesse, polish, politesse, propriety, respectability, seemliness; affability, cordiality, friendliness, geniality, hospitality, sociability; felicitousness, gracefulness; humility, meekness, modesty, shyness

Near Antonyms audaciousness, audacity, boldness, brashness, brassiness, disrespect, impertinence, impudence, insolence, sauciness, shamelessness; boorishness, churlishness, clownishness, loutishness, vulgarity; casualness, informality; delinquency, improperness, impropriety, inappropriateness, incorrectness, indecency; inconsiderateness, inconsideration, thoughtlessness; arrogance, conceit, presumption, pretentiousness

Antonyms discourteousness, discourtesy, impoliteness, incivility, rudeness, surliness, ungraciousness

2

the highest class in a society <as members of the gentility, they felt an obligation to help the less fortunate>

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

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

Antonyms proletarians, proletariat