gentleman
Americannoun
plural
gentlemen-
a man of good family, breeding, or social position.
-
(used as a polite term) a man.
Do you know that gentleman over there?
-
gentlemen, (used as a form of address).
Gentlemen, please come this way.
-
a civilized, educated, sensitive, or well-mannered man.
He behaved like a true gentleman.
-
a male personal servant, especially of a man of social position; valet.
-
a male attendant upon a king, queen, or other royal person, who is himself of high birth or rank.
-
a man of good social standing, as a noble or an armigerous commoner.
-
a man with an independent income who does not work for a living.
-
a male member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives.
The chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.
-
History/Historical. a man who is above the rank of yeoman.
noun
-
a man regarded as having qualities of refinement associated with a good family
-
a man who is cultured, courteous, and well-educated
-
a polite name for a man
-
the personal servant of a gentleman (esp in the phrase gentleman's gentleman )
-
history a man of gentle birth, who was entitled to bear arms, ranking above a yeoman in social position
-
(formerly) a smuggler
Related Words
See man.
Other Word Forms
- gentlemanlike adjective
- gentlemanliness noun
- gentlemanly adjective
- undergentleman noun
- ungentlemanlike adjective
Etymology
Origin of gentleman
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.
“The idea that no gentleman ever swears is all wrong,” Mark Twain said in a speech on taxes and morals.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026
I was sitting in the chair in mid-shave when a bald gentleman barged into the shop searching not for a cut, but a promise.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026
This gentleman came to the Capitol looking for a confrontation, and he got one.
From Salon • Mar. 5, 2026
We're introduced to Roth's rather official-looking English gentleman officer character who asks Duke Shelby - in secret - if he is willing to become a traitor.
From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026
The gentleman was tall and handsome, but I didn’t pay him any mind.
From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
