genteel

[jen-teel]

adjective

1. belonging or suited to polite society.

2. well-bred or refined; polite; elegant; stylish.

3. affectedly or pretentiously polite, delicate, etc.

genteel

/ dʒɛnˈtiːl /

adjective

1. affectedly proper or refined; excessively polite

2. respectable, polite, and well-bred

   a genteel old lady

3. appropriate to polite or fashionable society

   genteel behaviour

Other Word Forms

• genteelly adverb
• genteelness noun
• pseudogenteel adjective
• quasi-genteel adjective
• quasi-genteelly adverb
• ungenteel adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of genteel¹

1590–1600; < French gentil; gentle

Word History and Origins

Origin of genteel¹

C16: from French gentil well-born; see _gentle

Example Sentences

Though he bridled against the genteel expectations of his upbringing, he was popular and effortlessly debonair.

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Alice wants to organize a march in Washington D.C. to force the president’s reluctant hand, but Carrie prefers a more genteel strategy.

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It will be interesting to see how Venkatesham's elevation, given his genteel and friendly personality, changes the dynamics between Tottenham and their rivals at boardroom level.

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“The Aviator and the Showman” is a lavish, layered narrative, a primer on early aviation and the transition of publishing from genteel carriage trade to an industry increasingly reliant on blockbusters.

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He embarrassed the more genteel of his countrymen by bragging about his Open victories in the presence of Vardon.

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Related Words

• aristocratic 
• elegant 
• noble 
• ostentatious 
• polite 
• refined 
• stylish