English Explanatory Dictionary

genteel

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Affectedly proper or refined; somewhat prudish refinement; excessively polite.
  2. Polite and well-mannered.
  3. Stylish or elegant.
  4. Aristocratic.

Pronunciation

/d͡ʒɛnˈtiːl/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-genteel.wav

Word forms

genteel more genteel most genteel

Etymology

Borrowed from French gentil (“gentile”), from Latin gentīlis (“of or belonging to the same people or nation”), from gēns (“clan; tribe; people, family”) + adjective suffix -īlis (“-ile”). Doublet of gentle, gentile, and jaunty. See also gens, gender, genus, and generation.

Related words

gentleman

Derived words

genteel business genteelish genteelism genteelize genteel lady genteelly genteelness pseudogenteel shabby-genteel ultragenteel ungenteel
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