Chesterfieldian

American

[ches-ter-feel-dee-uhn] / ˌtʃɛs tərˈfil di ən /

adjective

of, relating to, or like the 4th Earl of Chesterfield or his writings; elegant; urbane; suave.

Chesterfieldian British

/ ˌtʃɛstəˈfiːldɪən /

adjective

of or like Lord Chesterfield; suave; elegant; polished

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Chesterfieldian

First recorded in 1770–80; Chesterfield + -ian

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.

“You do us too much honor,” said Paul, making a low bow in his best Chesterfieldian manner.

From Project Gutenberg

The colonel, for all his Chesterfieldian polish, could judge a horse or man in the raw.

From Project Gutenberg

Never before have I crossed fences as sound, as seductive, it was like jumping large and well-upholstered Chesterfield sofas; Chesterfieldian also were the manners of Flavin's bay.

From Project Gutenberg

“The work is entitled ‘Chesterfieldian Deportment,’ by Garrilus Gibbs, Ph.D.

From Project Gutenberg

His father had evidently been the big man of the county, and had shared all his sports and studies, cramming him with the most extraordinary amount of miscellaneous reading and curious Chesterfieldian ideas of honor and manners.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023