genteel

adjective

gen·​teel jen-ˈtēl How to pronounce genteel (audio)
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 adverb
genteelness noun

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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.

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 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 The book’s ironic title refers to the genteel behavior of aristocratic people who are, in reality, cynical, cruel and intolerant. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 2024 Anyone who has lived in the area for a few years and passed the corner of Queens and Sharon will recall the house across from Myers Park Baptist Church – a genteel beauty that had fallen on hard times. Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Decades before jetliners zigzagged across the planet at near supersonic speeds, a more genteel aircraft ruled the skies, designed to function in harmony with the 71 percent of the Earth that’s covered in water. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 20 Jan. 2024 Placing more economic decision-making in the hands of powerful union bosses, genteel businessmen, and all-knowing bureaucrats is not the American dream. Dominic Pino, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'genteel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of genteel was in 1601

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Dictionary Entries Near genteel

Cite this Entry

“Genteel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genteel. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

genteel

adjective
gen·​teel jen-ˈtē(ə)l How to pronounce genteel (audio)
1
: of or relating to the upper classes
2
3
: free from bad manners or bad taste
genteelly adverb
genteelness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on genteel

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