genteel

adjective gen·teel \ jen-ˈtēl \

Definition of genteel

1 a :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

2 a :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

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genteelly

play \jen-ˈtē(l)-lē\ adverb

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genteelness

noun

See genteel defined for English-language learners

See genteel defined for kids

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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 of genteel from the Web

A great deal of Confederate iconography was not commissioned in remembrance of soldierly valor or mawkish depiction of genteel Dixie.

— andrew c. mccarthy, National Review, "On Charlottesville, Trump, and Anti-Americanism," 19 Aug. 2017
What resulted was a lengthy, circular argument between her and Chris Cuomo, CNN anchor and the slightly more genteel Cuomo brother.

— gabriella paiella, The Cut, "Kellyanne Conway and Chris Cuomo Went at It on CNN," 4 Aug. 2017
THE VIBE IS: genteel Southernness with a dash of farm-to-table modernity.

— bon appétit, Bon Appetit, "Spring," 1 Aug. 2017
Her genteel manners and femininity coexist easily with her toughness.

— katie walsh, idahostatesman, "‘The Beguiled’ a masterpiece of woman, war," 29 June 2017
Certainly, although that era is remembered as a time of relative bipartisan cordiality, there were also major moments of social friction, even during periods when Washington was considered more genteel.

— katie glueck, Town & Country, "Can Bipartisan Friendships Withstand the Age of Trump?," 29 June 2017
WWE-level trash talking it may not be, but in the genteel surroundings of federal court, those practically qualify as fighting words.

— kim janssen, chicagotribune.com, "Feminist lawyer and conservative judge take eye-rolling, trash talking to next level," 22 June 2017
But this week the town’s genteel rhythm was disrupted by news that one of its residents had opened fire on Republican congressmen and their aides hundreds of miles away in the Washington suburbs.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Congressional shooting clouds final days of Georgia special election," 19 June 2017
Maybe the defiance wasn’t so genteel, with him augmenting the orchestra with guest players from Iran and Iraq.

— david patrick stearns, Philly.com, "Puzzling departure for New York Philharmonic conductor who cut his teeth in Philly," 15 June 2017

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.

Get Fancy With gentil

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.

Origin and Etymology of genteel

borrowed from French gentil literally, "of aristocratic birth," going back to Old French — more at ¹gentle

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1601

See Words from the same year

genteel Synonyms

GENTEEL Defined for English Language Learners

genteel

adjective

Definition of genteel for English Language Learners

: of or relating to people who have high social status
: pretending or trying to have the qualities and manners of people who have high social status
: having a quietly appealing or polite quality