genteel

adjective

gen·teel | \jen-ˈtēl

Definition of genteel

1a : 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

2a : 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

Other Words from genteel Synonyms & Antonyms Get Fancy With Genteel More Example Sentences Learn More about genteel

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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.

Examples of genteel in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

According to Smithsonian, roughly 4,800 people called Cerro Gordo home during its peak, though life was anything but genteel — the community saw an average of one murder per week. — Janine Puhak, Fox News, "Entire California ghost town for sale for under $1 million," 28 June 2018 On the rare occasion a Mets player finds himself on first base, he can be counted to proceed at a genteel pace, if at all. — Michael Powell, New York Times, "The Mets Are Deeply, Thoroughly Broken," 27 June 2018 The genteel sport of lawn bowling might be king in Mount Dora, but the more frenetic game of pickleball is gaining popularity. — Jerry Fallstrom, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Pickleball craze takes hold in Mount Dora, though lawn bowling is still king," 22 June 2018 Instead, exhibitors are offering these movies as a more genteel alternative to popcorn fare, something for parents to enjoy as their kids go see the latest blockbuster. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "What’s Driving Documentaries to Box-Office Success?," 11 July 2018 At the end of the hearing, Mr. Tester reminded Mr. Wilkie that future hearings aren’t likely to be as genteel. — Ben Kesling, WSJ, "Trump’s VA Pick Stresses ‘Customer Service’," 27 June 2018 Try curling or some other genteel and insipid pastime. — John Leicester, chicagotribune.com, "Video refereeing a boon and a bust at World Cup," 26 June 2018 Intensely private behind their walls of privet, genteel and yes, primarily gentile, the club system continues to thrive in the Hamptons, in spite of the headwinds of social change or supposed dearth of clubbable types. — Steven Stolman, Town & Country, "High Society Photographer Bert Morgan Chronicled the Hamptons' Smart Set Before Everything Changed," 13 June 2018 As this is a reputable newspaper, let’s use a more genteel term for the fleshy space: buttock cleavage. — John Kass, chicagotribune.com, "For Mayor Globe-trotter, it's the money that matters," 13 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'genteel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.