genteel

adjective

gen·​teel jen-ˈtēl 

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

genteelly

jen-ˈtē(l)-lē 

adverb

genteelness noun

Did you know?

Get Fancy With Genteel

The word genteel has some familiar English relatives, including gentle, gentrify, and gentility. All come from the Latin noun gens, used to refer to a group of related people. That word's plural, gentes, was used in Roman times to classify the people of the world, particularly non-Romans. Similarly, the English gentile refers to people who are not Jewish, or who don’t follow other specific religions. Many non-English words come from gens as well, including the Spanish gente, meaning “people.” To say gens has made its mark would be putting it gently.

Synonyms

• befitting
• correct
• de rigueur
• decent
• decorous
• nice
• polite
• proper
• respectable
• seemly

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

In June 1983, less than a month after Star Wars: Return of the Jedi debuted in movie theaters, Harrison Ford paid exactly $1 million for this genteel Los Angeles estate. —James McClain, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2024

And in 1965 when former Gov. Pat Brown signed a landmark law establishing a new agency, BCDC, to regulate development and filling of the bay, and named the genteel Lane, of Atherton, as its chairman, Lane asked Bodovitz to be its executive director. —Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2024

In Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, first published in 1865, and its sequel, Through the Looking-Glass, Dodgson transposed the conventions of his genteel world into a magical universe. —Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2024

The home’s original, genteel charm is present at every turn, but at the same time, the interior spaces have been tweaked and opened to each other for a less formal, more convivial layout conducive to relaxed entertaining. —Mark David, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024

In the town of Eastbourne — genteel, coastal, artsy — Mr. Leslie saw opportunity. —Rory Smith, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2024

Woven dining chairs and wicker chandeliers that cast orange light give the room a genteel air. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2024

In the company of her genteel clientele, Du Bois, who had conservative tastes in culture, would surely have felt at home. —Holland Cotter, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2024

After Zens was exercised through eight-foot seas, more genteel conditions were enjoyed behind the harbor seawall, finessing pirouettes in the calm water with the joystick before the boat glided nimbly to the dock. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

genteel

adjective

gen·​teel jen-ˈtē(ə)l 

1

: of or relating to the upper classes

2

: elegant sense 1, graceful

3

: free from bad manners or bad taste

genteelly

-ˈtē(ə)l-lē 

adverb

genteelness noun