gentlewoman

[ jen-tl-woom-uhn ]

noun

, plural gen·tle·wom·en.

1. a woman of good family, breeding, or social position
2. a civilized, educated, sensitive, or well-mannered woman; lady.
3. a woman who attends upon a lady of rank.
4. a female member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives:

   The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Maine.

gentlewoman

/ ˈdʒɛntəlˌwʊmən /

noun

1. archaic.
   a woman regarded as being of good family or breeding; lady
2. rare.
   a woman who is cultured, courteous, and well-educated
3. history a woman in personal attendance on a high-ranking lady

Derived Forms

• ˈgentleˌwomanly, adjective
• ˈgentleˌwomanliness, noun

Other Words From

• gentle·woman·ly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gentlewoman¹

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

Example Sentences

There are spinsters, doctors, educated gentlewomen, badly behaved cads, servants, inspectors, ministers, you name it — all types who sometimes subvert but more often fulfill the stereotype.

From Vox

Like my friend I used to play with in college, who worked in government and quit and now works in Virginia as a gentlewoman farmer, I had seen her maybe once in the last 10 years and now I see her every month.

From Vox

He is unfit to be called a man, he is unworthy to marry a gentlewoman; and as for that hussy, I disown her.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Hill came to tell me that he had got a gentlewoman for my wife, one Mrs. Ferrabosco, that sings most admirably.

From Project Gutenberg

He sends for the young Sister; very pretty indeed, and a gentlewoman by birth, though penniless.

From Project Gutenberg

I will take no less for it, young gentlewoman; it has caused me a world of trouble.

From Project Gutenberg

Under other circumstances I should have judged her to have been a gentlewoman.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• girl
• mother