gentlewoman

[ jen-tl-woom-uhn ]

See synonyms for gentlewoman on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural gen·tle·wom·en.

a woman of good family, breeding, or social position
a civilized, educated, sensitive, or well-mannered woman; lady.

a woman who attends upon a lady of rank.
a female member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives: The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Maine.

Origin of gentlewoman

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; see origin at gentle, woman

Other words from gentlewoman

gen·tle·wom·an·ly, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for gentlewoman

gentlewoman

/ (ˈdʒɛntəlˌwʊmən) /

nounplural -women

archaic a woman regarded as being of good family or breeding; lady
rare a woman who is cultured, courteous, and well-educated

history a woman in personal attendance on a high-ranking lady

Derived forms of gentlewoman

gentlewomanly, adjective
gentlewomanliness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Browse