gentleman

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

Synonyms

• nobleman

Examples of gentleman in a Sentence

A true gentleman would never engage in such behavior.

He's a gentleman by birth.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ironically, the gentleman is an elementary school principal. —R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 24 June 2025

The elegant procession of gentlemen dressed in designer Simon Holloway’s modern English menswear wardrobe was transporting. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 23 June 2025

Ladies and gentlemen, the part of Winnie, played by Aira Wilson, will be performed tonight by Matthew Lim. —Han Ong, New Yorker, 22 June 2025

The guy who says 30s are okay, but 39 is actually 40, or the other gentleman who won’t date over 27, and Lucy is just looking at him in disbelief. —Barry Levitt, Time, 18 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gentilman

First Known Use

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