gentleman friend

American  

noun

Older Use.

1. a man with whom a woman is romantically involved; suitor.

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Etymology

Origin of gentleman friend

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

Example Sentences

In the 1700s, Lord Chesterfield wrote about a “gentleman” friend who read the Latin poets “in the necessary-house,” Alford notes.

From Slate

“A gentleman friend thought I should learn it, so he and another friend of his gave me a lesson. I don’t know what I learned. Probably nothing. In my humble opinion, a phone is just to make a call or receive a call.”

From New York Times

I wanted these things from my gentleman friend, but I didn’t need them.

From New York Times

After my gentleman friend and I ate and didn’t get food poisoning, we went back to his house.

From New York Times

And he called himself my “gentleman friend.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• boyfriend
• lover
• paramour
• suitor
• sweetheart