gentleman
noun
gen·tle·man
ˈjen-tᵊl-mən 
ˈje-nᵊl-,
in rapid speech also ˈjen-tə-mən,
ˈje-nə-
often attributive
1
a
: a man of noble or gentle (see gentle entry 1 sense 4a) birth
b
: a man belonging to the landed gentry
c(1)
: a man who combines gentle (see gentle entry 1 sense 4a) birth or rank with chivalrous qualities
(2)
: a man whose conduct conforms to a high standard of propriety or correct behavior
d(1)
: a man of independent means who does not engage in any occupation or profession for gain
(2)
: a man who does not engage in a menial occupation or in manual labor for gain
2
: valet sense 1b
—often used in the phrase gentleman's gentleman
3
: a man of any social class or condition
—often used in a courteous reference
show this gentleman to a seat
or usually in the plural in addressladies and gentlemen
gentlemanlikeness
noun
Examples of gentleman in a Sentence
A true gentleman would never engage in such behavior.
He's a gentleman by birth.
Recent Examples on the Web
Zhou was the epitome of a kind, loving and compassionate gentleman, in addition to his academic drive, Barker Little wrote.
—
Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2025
On the count of three, the golden retriever inhales the entire pasta portion, as the German shepherd watches the scene in disbelief while chewing his small bites of food like a gentleman.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
As to the first: At least Kassebaum didn’t have to fear a social media fusillade from Bush, and Bush would have been too much of a gentleman to do more than fume in private over her vote.
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
The week is almost over, ladies and gentlemen, and the weekend is spread out before us, filled with opportunity.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for gentleman 
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Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2025
On the count of three, the golden retriever inhales the entire pasta portion, as the German shepherd watches the scene in disbelief while chewing his small bites of food like a gentleman.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
As to the first: At least Kassebaum didn’t have to fear a social media fusillade from Bush, and Bush would have been too much of a gentleman to do more than fume in private over her vote.
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
The week is almost over, ladies and gentlemen, and the weekend is spread out before us, filled with opportunity.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for gentleman
Articles Related to gentleman
Dictionary Entries Near gentleman
Cite this Entry
“Gentleman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gentleman. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gentleman
noun
gen·tle·man
ˈjen(t)-ᵊl-mən
1
: a man born to a family of high social rank
2
: a man of good education and social position
3
: a male with very good manners
reminded her young son to be a gentleman
4
: man
I can help this gentleman
ladies and gentlemen
gentlemanliness
noun
-lē-nəs
gentlemanly
adjective
-lē
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