adj
gentile
JEHN-tyl
Gentile (adj) means not Jewish. Example: “The neighborhood had a mix of Jewish and gentile families.”
adj
1
Not Jewish.
"The neighborhood had a mix of Jewish and gentile families."
2
(among Mormons) Not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"Early Utah settlers used "gentile" to describe non-Mormon newcomers."
noun
1
A person who is not Jewish.
"The rabbi explained the custom to the gentile visitors."
How to use gentile
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who isn't Jewish (or, in Mormon usage, not Mormon).
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Word forms
- Plural
- gentiles
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The neighborhood had a mix of Jewish and _____ families.
Etymology
From Latin gentilis ("of the same clan or people"), from gens ("clan, tribe") — a doublet of "gentle" and "genteel".
Related words
Rhymes for gentile
See all rhymes for gentile →Frequently asked questions
What does “gentile” mean?
The word “gentile” means not Jewish. In plain terms, someone who isn't Jewish (or, in Mormon usage, not Mormon).
How do you pronounce “gentile”?
“Gentile” is pronounced JEHN-tyl (/ˈd͡ʒɛntaɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “gentile” in a sentence?
Here is “gentile” used in a sentence: “The neighborhood had a mix of Jewish and gentile families.”
What part of speech is “gentile”?
Depending on how it is used, “gentile” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “gentile” come from?
The word “gentile” comes from Latin. From Latin gentilis ("of the same clan or people"), from gens ("clan, tribe") — a doublet of "gentle" and "genteel".
How many meanings does “gentile” have?
“Gentile” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not Jewish.
