gentlemanly
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
- gentlemanliness noun
- pseudogentlemanly adverb
- quasi-gentlemanly adverb
- ungentlemanly adjective
Etymology
Origin of gentlemanly
late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; gentleman, -ly
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.
When George Templeton Strong, a prominent Wall Street attorney, died at 55 in 1875, the New York Tribune’s obituary dutifully listed his gentlemanly contributions to the cultural life of his city.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026
"It's hard to classify this as a gentlemanly action."
From BBC • Dec. 7, 2023
By the 1700s, when shaving once again became de rigeur and it was considered respectable and gentlemanly to shave, the phrase “clean-shaven” took hold.
From National Geographic • Nov. 7, 2023
Other big-time coaches might follow the gentlemanly, buttoned-up approach, but not Knight.
From Washington Times • Nov. 1, 2023
Most of the residents started out wishing for Fischer’s victory, but after the numerous false starts, threats, and general difficulties Bobby caused, sympathy began to swing to the gentlemanly Spassky.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
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.
