genteel

[ jen-teel ]
See synonyms for: genteelgenteelness on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. belonging or suited to polite society.

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

  1. affectedly or pretentiously polite, delicate, etc.

Origin of genteel

1
1590–1600; <French gentil;see gentle

Other words from genteel

  • gen·teel·ly, adverb
  • gen·teel·ness, noun
  • pseu·do·gen·teel, adjective
  • qua·si-gen·teel, adjective
  • qua·si-gen·teel·ly, adverb
  • un·gen·teel, adjective

Words Nearby genteel

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use genteel in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for genteel

genteel

/ (dʒɛnˈtiːl) /


adjective
  1. affectedly proper or refined; excessively polite

  2. respectable, polite, and well-bred: a genteel old lady

  1. appropriate to polite or fashionable society: genteel behaviour

Origin of genteel

1
C16: from French gentil well-born; see gentle

Derived forms of genteel

  • genteelly, adverb
  • genteelness, noun

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