gentry
Gentry (noun) means People of high social standing and good breeding, especially landowners ranked just below the nobility. Example: “The country gentry attended the annual hunt ball.”
How to use gentry
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWealthy, well-bred landowning families ranked between ordinary people and the titled nobility.
Mostly used in historical or British social contexts.
Word forms
gentries plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The country _____ attended the annual hunt ball.
Etymology
From Old French genterie ("noble people collectively"), from gent ("well-born") plus the suffix -erie.
Synonyms
View more →Rhymes for gentry
See all rhymes for gentry →Frequently asked questions
What does “gentry” mean?
The word “gentry” means people of high social standing and good breeding, especially landowners ranked just below the nobility. In plain terms, wealthy, well-bred landowning families ranked between ordinary people and the titled nobility.
How do you pronounce “gentry”?
“Gentry” is pronounced JEHNT-ree (/ˈd͡ʒɛntɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “gentry” in a sentence?
Here is “gentry” used in a sentence: “The country gentry attended the annual hunt ball.”
What is another word for “gentry”?
Words with a similar meaning to “gentry” include the quality.
What part of speech is “gentry”?
“Gentry” is a noun.
Where does the word “gentry” come from?
The word “gentry” comes from Old French. From Old French genterie ("noble people collectively"), from gent ("well-born") plus the suffix -erie.
Is “gentry” a common word?
“Gentry” is an uncommon word in modern English.