well-bred
Americanadjective
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well brought up; properly trained and educated.
a well-bred boy.
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showing good breeding, as in behavior or manners.
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(of animals) of a desirable breed or pedigree.
adjective
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Also: well-born. of respected or noble lineage
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indicating good breeding
well-bred manners
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of good thoroughbred stock
a well-bred spaniel
Etymology
Origin of well-bred
First recorded in 1590–1600
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Well bred? and goes off and does not salute!
From The Comedies of Carlo Goldoni edited with an introduction by Helen Zimmern by Goldoni, Carlo
Well bred, Sir, I do deliver that upon my credit, And of an honest stock.
From Beaumont & Fletcher's Works (3 of 10): The Loyal Subject by Beaumont, Francis
Well bred as she was, there was a perceptible embarrassment in her manner whenever he addressed her, but with these other men she was talking and smiling without a trace of effort or restraint.
From What Dreams May Come by Atherton, Gertrude Franklin Horn
Well bred rats are always cautious, and therefore are somewhat respectful, but the drove at old Gunwagner’s did not show this desirable trait.
From The Boy Broker Or, Among the Kings of Wall Street by Munsey, Frank Andrew
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
