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genteel
[ jen-teel ]
/ dʒɛnˈtil /
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adjective
belonging or suited to polite society.
well-bred or refined; polite; elegant; stylish.
affectedly or pretentiously polite, delicate, etc.
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Origin of genteel
1590–1600; <French gentil;see gentle
OTHER WORDS FROM genteel
Words nearby genteel
gens du monde, genseng, Genseric, gent, gentamicin, genteel, genteelism, gentian, gentianaceous, gentian blue, gentianella
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use genteel in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for genteel
genteel
/ (dʒɛnˈtiːl) /
adjective
affectedly proper or refined; excessively polite
respectable, polite, and well-breda genteel old lady
appropriate to polite or fashionable societygenteel behaviour
Derived forms of genteel
genteelly, adverbgenteelness, nounWord Origin for genteel
C16: from French gentil well-born; see gentle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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