genteel
[ jen-teel ]
adjective
belonging or suited to polite society.
well-bred or refined; polite; elegant; stylish.
affectedly or pretentiously polite, delicate, etc.
Origin of genteel
11590–1600; <French gentil;see gentle
Other words from genteel
- gen·teel·ly, adverb
- gen·teel·ness, noun
- pseu·do·gen·teel, adjective
- qua·si-gen·teel, adjective
- qua·si-gen·teel·ly, adverb
- un·gen·teel, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for genteel
genteel
/ (dʒɛnˈtiːl) /
adjective
affectedly proper or refined; excessively polite
respectable, polite, and well-bred: a genteel old lady
appropriate to polite or fashionable society: genteel behaviour
Origin of genteel
1C16: from French gentil well-born; see gentle
Derived forms of genteel
- genteelly, adverb
- genteelness, 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
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