gentleman

1 of 2

noun

gen·​tle·​man ˈjen-tᵊl-mən 

ˈje-nᵊl-

in rapid speech also ˈjen-tə-mən, 

ˈje-nə-

often attributive

1

a

: a man of noble or gentle (see gentle entry 1 sense 4a) birth

b

: a man belonging to the landed gentry

c(1)

: a man who combines gentle (see gentle entry 1 sense 4a) birth or rank with chivalrous qualities

(2)

: a man whose conduct conforms to a high standard of propriety or correct behavior

d(1)

: a man of independent means who does not engage in any occupation or profession for gain

(2)

: a man who does not engage in a menial occupation or in manual labor for gain

2

: valet sense 1b

—often used in the phrase gentleman's gentleman

3

: a man of any social class or condition

—often used in a courteous reference

show this gentleman to a seat

or usually in the plural in address

ladies and gentlemen

gentlemanlike

ˈjen-tᵊl-mən-ˌlīk 

ˈje-nᵊl-

adjective

gentlemanlikeness noun

gentlemanlike

2 of 2

adjective

: resembling or appropriate to a gentleman

a very kind and gentlemanlike individual

—W. M. Thackeray

gentlemanlikeness noun

plural -es

Synonyms of gentleman

Noun

• nobleman

Examples of gentleman in a Sentence

Noun

A true gentleman would never engage in such behavior.

He's a gentleman by birth.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Hafidh Ameir Hassan became Tanzania’s first gentleman in 2021, when his wife took office as the country's first female president following the death of President John Magufuli. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

In this 1985 novel, recently reissued by NYRB, Louise has returned to the splendor and decay of New Orleans, where one drunken yet charming Southern gentleman in particular catches her eye. — Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026

Portraying a character who is an all-around gentleman was the biggest challenge for Skarsgård. — Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026

On Thursday, an older gentleman started at the sign with a green arrow redirecting patrons on the post-construction path. — Idaho Statesman, 30 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English gentilman

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing gentleman

• a lady/man/gentleman of leisure
• country gentleman
• first gentleman
• gentleman-at-arms
• gentleman-commoner
• gentleman farmer
• gentleman of fortune
• gentleman's agreement
• gentleman's club
• second gentleman

Rhymes for gentleman

• gentlemen

Kids Definition

gentleman

noun

gen·​tle·​man ˈjen(t)-ᵊl-mən 

1

: a man born to a family of high social rank

2

: a man of good education and social position

3

: a male with very good manners

reminded her young son to be a gentleman

4

: man

I can help this gentleman

ladies and gentlemen

gentlemanliness

-lē-nəs

noun

gentlemanly

-lē

adjective