as in lady
a woman of high birth or social position
in the 19th century a number of American gentlewomen used their wealth and influence to further abolitionism, women's rights, and other worthy causes
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gentlewoman
Social status and fashion conspired to make gentlewomen’s footwear of every sort flimsy.
—
Literary Hub, 4 Aug. 2025
The novelists’ parents were Patrick and Maria Brontë, an Irish clergyman and a Cornish gentlewoman who married in 1812.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025
Rep Miller recognized Rep McBride as 'gentleman' and 'Mr.' NOT as 'gentlewoman' and 'Ms.' McBride is a MAN!!!
—Martha McHardy, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Maybe Kate can get Parton to hop back across the pond to play a few songs and, as a real Southern gentlewoman, teach those rather provincial Brits how to properly serve tea.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2023
One of his stories is about a Southern gentlewoman who keeps her dead fiance’s corpse in her bed.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2023
In the north, Solomon knew, young oblates, the cherished daughters of gentlewomen, were given to the Lord out of the ranks of the nobility.
—Cynthia Ozick, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Apr. 2023
Literary Hub, 4 Aug. 2025
The novelists’ parents were Patrick and Maria Brontë, an Irish clergyman and a Cornish gentlewoman who married in 1812.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025
Rep Miller recognized Rep McBride as 'gentleman' and 'Mr.' NOT as 'gentlewoman' and 'Ms.' McBride is a MAN!!!
—Martha McHardy, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Maybe Kate can get Parton to hop back across the pond to play a few songs and, as a real Southern gentlewoman, teach those rather provincial Brits how to properly serve tea.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2023
One of his stories is about a Southern gentlewoman who keeps her dead fiance’s corpse in her bed.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2023
In the north, Solomon knew, young oblates, the cherished daughters of gentlewomen, were given to the Lord out of the ranks of the nobility.
—Cynthia Ozick, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Apr. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentlewoman
Noun
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For example, should the classy lady in question love playing hostess, the gift of top-tier Le Creuset cookware will feel less like a luxury and more like a necessity — unwrapped just in time for New Year’s Eve entertaining.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Still got that buttery, milky voice for the ladies.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Jeanne-Claude’s parents, a French general and countess, arrived in Petaluma the day before the scheduled completion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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De Saint Sernin’s spring show was inspired by his French nobility roots, specifically his grandmother, who was a countess.—
Margaux Anbouba,
Vogue,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The queen of talking about people behind their backs has an issue with them talking about someone behind their back — but Lisa, of course, rejects this comparison and denies saying anything out of order.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
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When a colony becomes too large, the old queen and half the bees head to the new location in a flying swarm.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gentlewoman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentlewoman. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
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