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 For drivers who preferred their power in a more genteel package, the V-12 S600 delivered almost identical outputs — 362 hp in original form, 493 after gaining twin turbos in ’03. Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2024 And now a Mediterranean villa on a hillside in genteel Bel-Air has become the latest target of mysterious graffiti vandals. James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2024 So writes David Netto in an inspiring new monograph on the early-20th-century visionary, whose Manhattan apartment houses redefined genteel city living on the Upper East Side and beyond. Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 19 Sep. 2024 But like many of those who survived the era, his public image had softened with age into a genteel host of parties in Hollywood and the Hamptons, a fashion-forward businessman, and a doting father who spoiled his kids, some of whom lost their mother in 2018. Andrew Dalton, TIME, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for genteel 

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 5 Nov. 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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