gentleman
playDefinition of gentleman
1a : a man of noble or gentle (see 1gentle 1a) birthb : a man belonging to the landed gentryc (1) : a man who combines gentle (see 1gentle 1a) birth or rank with chivalrous qualities (2) : a man whose conduct conforms to a high standard of propriety or correct behaviord (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 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
gentlemanlikeness
nounPeople Are Reading
Examples of gentleman in a Sentence
A true gentleman would never engage in such behavior.
He's a gentleman by birth.
Recent Examples of gentleman from the Web
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Moore can lay on Wimsey’s fussy, foppish mannerisms awfully thick as well, like a dandy in an old drawing room comedy rather than a gentleman of true substance.
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A gentleman across the way had a hat with a yellow hammer and sickle against a red star.
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But one rider, a gentleman on his way to Little Diamond, the first stop, and a small island with a year-round population that can be counted on two hands, tells me there are actually 222.
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Of all the words said about Grandpa on Sunday — humble, genius, gentleman, decent, brilliant, virtuoso — there was one word no one was saying: Retirement.
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R.I.P. GREGG ALLMAN: Legendary musician and kind Southern gentleman.
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Jon is a gentleman, a pleasant individual, and very, very flexible.
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The winner was a 4-year-old whose next-door neighbor was an elderly gentleman that had recently lost his wife.
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Previous post: Not an officer, not a gentleman, deputies say Get the DUHtails at WFLA.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gentleman'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of gentleman
Middle English gentilman
GENTLEMAN Defined for English Language Learners
gentleman
playDefinition of gentleman for English Language Learners
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: a man who treats other people in a proper and polite way
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: a man of high social status
GENTLEMAN Defined for Kids
gentleman
playDefinition of gentleman for Students
gentlemen
\-mən\1 : a man with very good manners
2 : a man of any social position Hint: This word is used especially in polite speech or when speaking to a group of men. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
3 : a man of high social status He's a gentleman by birth.
gentlemanly
adjectiveLearn More about gentleman
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gentleman Spanish Central: Translation of gentleman Nglish: Translation of gentleman for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of gentleman for Arabic speakers
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