noun
Uncommon
gentry
JEHNT-ree
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.”
noun
1
People of high social standing and good breeding, especially landowners ranked just below the nobility.
"The country gentry attended the annual hunt ball."
"His family had been part of the local gentry for generations."
How to use gentry
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWealthy, well-bred landowning families ranked between ordinary people and the titled nobility.
When to use it
Mostly used in historical or British social contexts.
Common pairings
landed gentry
country gentry
local gentry
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Word forms
- Plural
- gentries
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 →
aristocracy
the quality
Related words
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.
