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

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 Lakeside Inn: This genteel enclave in Mount Dora’s artsy downtown is Florida’s oldest continuously operated hotel. — Nancy Moreland, The Seattle Times, "Ready for takeoff: A nervous flyer takes on America’s Seaplane City," 3 July 2018 Melancholy is almost obligatory for young male poets; in other respects, Neruda spurned the genteel conventions still prevailing in love poetry of the time. — Benjamin Kunkel, The New Republic, "The partisan world of Pablo Neruda," 2 July 2018 What fun that would be in the center of the circular driveway leading to his genteel home in Ocala! — Lauren Ritchie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Statue of Confederate general is no 'piece of art,' has no place in Lake County museum," 1 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.