genteel

adjective

gen·​teel jen-ˈtēl 

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

jen-ˈtē(l)-lē 

adverb

genteelness noun

Did you know?

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.

Synonyms

• befitting
• correct
• de rigueur
• decent
• decorous
• nice
• polite
• proper
• respectable
• seemly

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

But across the city in the genteel surroundings of a Marylebone hotel, this animosity will soon turn public. —Jacob Whitehead, The Athletic, 20 Nov. 2024

Horror stories are often about the disjuncture between appearances and depths and turn on a change in perception: the genteel aristocrat who is in fact a monster, the idyllic town that conceals a dark secret. —Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2024

Judge Reinhold, as an overly genteel young detective whom Foley brings into the adult world, and John Ashton, as Reinhold’s surly, stubby older partner, carry a burden as big as Murphy’s through the second half of the picture. —David Denby, Vulture, 3 July 2024

The rude new businessman—acting a lot like the characters who strutted around the ring, garnering the rabid love of the crowd—upset a genteel arrangement and won big. —Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024

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

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Kids Definition

genteel

adjective

gen·​teel jen-ˈtē(ə)l 

1

: of or relating to the upper classes

2

: elegant sense 1, graceful

3

: free from bad manners or bad taste

genteelly

-ˈtē(ə)l-lē 

adverb

genteelness noun