gentleman

American  

[jen-tl-muhn] / ˈdʒɛn tl mən /

noun

plural

gentlemen

1. a man of good family, breeding, or social position.

2. (used as a polite term) a man.

   Do you know that gentleman over there?

3. gentlemen, (used as a form of address).

   Gentlemen, please come this way.

4. a civilized, educated, sensitive, or well-mannered man.

   He behaved like a true gentleman.

5. a male personal servant, especially of a man of social position; valet.

6. a male attendant upon a king, queen, or other royal person, who is himself of high birth or rank.

7. a man of good social standing, as a noble or an armigerous commoner.

8. a man with an independent income who does not work for a living.

9. a male member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives.

   The chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.

10. History/Historical. a man who is above the rank of yeoman.

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gentleman British  

/ ˈdʒɛntəlmən /

noun

1. a man regarded as having qualities of refinement associated with a good family

2. a man who is cultured, courteous, and well-educated

3. a polite name for a man

4. the personal servant of a gentleman (esp in the phrase gentleman's gentleman )

5. history a man of gentle birth, who was entitled to bear arms, ranking above a yeoman in social position

6. (formerly) a smuggler

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Related Words

See man.

Other Word Forms

• gentlemanlike adjective
• gentlemanliness noun
• gentlemanly adjective
• undergentleman noun
• ungentlemanlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of gentleman

Middle English word dating back to 1225–75; gentle, man

Example Sentences

“He can swear and still be a gentleman if he does it in a nice and benevolent and affectionate way.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

This gentleman came to the Capitol looking for a confrontation, and he got one.

From Salon • Mar. 5, 2026

I would’ve preferred the gentleman at the speed dating event had likened my efforts to, at least, Morticia, a grown woman.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

He was a gentleman, a top professional, and he led by example.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026

The gentleman who stepped off the plane was in his sixties, with a pink face.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Related Words

• aristocrat
• nobleman