adj
genteel
jehn-TEEL
Genteel (adj) means Polite, refined, and well-mannered, sometimes to an exaggerated or old-fashioned degree. Example: “She grew up in a genteel household that valued good manners above all.”
adj
1
Polite, refined, and well-mannered, sometimes to an exaggerated or old-fashioned degree.
"She grew up in a genteel household that valued good manners above all."
"The hotel has a genteel, old-world charm."
How to use genteel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRefined and polite, often in a slightly old-fashioned or overly proper way.
Common mistake
Can carry a mildly negative shade, implying stuffy or affected politeness rather than plain good manners.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more genteel
- Superlative
- most genteel
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She grew up in a _____ household that valued good manners above all.
Etymology
From French gentil ("noble, well-born"), from Latin gentilis — a doublet of "gentle" and "gentile".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for genteel
See all rhymes for genteel →Frequently asked questions
What does “genteel” mean?
The word “genteel” means polite, refined, and well-mannered, sometimes to an exaggerated or old-fashioned degree. In plain terms, refined and polite, often in a slightly old-fashioned or overly proper way.
How do you pronounce “genteel”?
“Genteel” is pronounced jehn-TEEL (/d͡ʒɛnˈtiːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “genteel” in a sentence?
Here is “genteel” used in a sentence: “She grew up in a genteel household that valued good manners above all.”
What part of speech is “genteel”?
“Genteel” is an adjective.
Where does the word “genteel” come from?
The word “genteel” comes from Latin. From French gentil ("noble, well-born"), from Latin gentilis — a doublet of "gentle" and "gentile".
