gentility

noun

gen·​til·​i·​ty jen-ˈti-lə-tē 

plural gentilities

1

a

: the condition of belonging to the gentry

b

: gentlefolk, gentry

2

a(1)

: decorum of conduct : courtesy

(2)

: attitudes or activity marked by false delicacy, prudery, or affectation

b

: superior social status or prestige evidenced by manners, possessions, or mode of life

Synonyms

• civility
• courteousness
• courtesy
• genteelness
• graciousness
• mannerliness
• politeness

Examples of gentility in a Sentence

Education was considered a mark of gentility.

was full of the same gentility and grace that marked the rest of the family

Recent Examples on the Web

Immediately upon being plucked from the proverbial shadows of the backroom studio, Alessandro Michele astonished with his new Gucci, a house reawakened by an intriguing gentility rich with influences from antiquity to today’s urban culture. —Bridget Foley, WWD, 27 Sep. 2024

There's also an emphasis on productivity and navigating your life with quiet confidence and gentility. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 June 2023

The star is a tabletop display in the Marble Parlour (once the formal dining room) that was created for the exhibition and, unlike the other sculptures, presents a challenging narrative at odds with the venue’s gentility. —Mitchell Owens, Architectural Digest, 2 Aug. 2024

The Hindi film industry soon saw a rise in films about violence and gangsters, and Bachchan would go on to star in many films that rejected gentility. —Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

gentility

noun

gen·​til·​i·​ty jen-ˈtil-ət-ē 

plural gentilities

1

: good birth and family

2

: the qualities of a well-bred person

3

: good manners